I am on my second dog from Sukee. The dogs are beautiful. Great temperaments, extremely obedient, and loyal. My first developed fistulas at the age of three. I spent over $10,000 on cyclosporine to extend his life. He passed at seven. We are still not over Kane's shortened life and suffering. Kimo, now seven, has just developed fistulas. We have put him on steroids and cyclosporine. He seems to be deteriorating much more rapidly than Kane. Both dogs started out with severe allergies and than developed fistulas. I feel I am a expert on this condition. I hope no one else has to go through this problem. The bottom line is, it is an autoimmune disease that is hereditary. Both dogs were or are on prescription food, steroids, cyclosporine and antibiotics. The real cost (above the normal expected expense of raising a German Sheppard) was an additional $10,000 to $15,000. Cyclosporine alone was several hundreds of dollars a month. I am not condemning Sukee Kennels, because at the end of the day we loved our dogs, but I am just letting you know my experience and the pain and suffering we had to deal with, in addition to the good times. I hope this condition is narrowed down to the blood lines that are causing this condition and are removed from the breeding process to avoid the passing on of this chronic and fatal health condition. It is a terrible ordeal for both the dog and his family.
more