Whenever we install a new version of our managed package in a client's org, we are losing the field dependencies that the client specifies locally for a managed package object.

Is this expected behaviour?  The [docs][1] seem to suggest otherwise:

> Field Dependencies
> Developers and subscribers can add, change, or
> remove field dependencies. 
> 
>  If the developer adds a field dependency,
>  it is added during installation unless the subscriber has already
>  specified a dependency for the same field. 
>  
>  If a developer removes a dependency, this change is not reflected in the 
>  subscriber's organization during an upgrade.  

> If the developer introduces a new
>  picklist value mapping between the dependent and controlling fields,
>  the mapping is added during an upgrade.  

> If a developer removes a
>  picklist value mapping, the change is not reflected in the
>  subscriber’s organization during an upgrade.

Edit: to clarify, this is picklist value dependencies we're talking about, not whether one field relies on another or not.

  [1]: http://www.salesforce.com/us/developer/docs/packagingGuide/Content/packaging_component_behavior.htm