We were offered a 12 week old puppy from a breeder that didn't want to sell it because it has a mild form of asthma. She said he breathes heavy if he runs too much and sometimes when he's eating he wheezes. Does anybody have any experience with this!? We haven't taken the puppy yet...I want to know if this is difficult to take care of?...will we have to buy it medicine?...etc. Please let me know!

I'd be interested to know if it was the breeders diagnosis or a Vets. Could be something as simple as an infection, or asthma, which they can outgrow as one dog we had did, or it can be a lifelong condition. Ask him if you can have the puppy seen by your vet prior to purchase, a very wise move btw, especially in this circumstance, and worth the cost of the exam

I googled Canine Asthma because I had never even heard of dogs getting it. From what I read, it is rare, usually a reaction to allergies. It's also something that happens later in life: 2 years or older. It's even rarer in puppies.

Here is one of the links I read: http://www.ehow.com/about_4673062_canine-asthma-symptoms.html

I would be concerned that the condition really isn't asthma and is something more serious. Puppies with heart conditions can pant alot and will get winded quickly. Wheezing during eating might mean something wrong with the palate or esophagus.

The problem is that the pup's condition could be severe enough that a regular vet might not know the real deal. But most certainly, I would do a vet visit BEFORE taking on the puppy. The puppy may be free but you could end up with a huge bill in future vet expenses depending on what the real issues are.