Urgent Help! Bowed Leg/ Knuckling Over puppy potential?

[corsotx]

Hi all,

I noticed yesterday while walking realising that my puppy might have issue with his front legs. I am afraid that if will affect his growth. Does it seem like a symptom for you guys? I have also posted in the general discussion hoping there would me more replies. I have contacted the breeder and breeder asked to cut down his weight and feeding twice. He also mentioned that his grandsire's puppies had outgrown similar leg situation at maturity.

He is eating 3 times a day at 14 weeks.

The breeder asked to cut down his weight. I can see his body line and curves padded under his coat. However, based on his current activity level, he walks about 15-30 mins each time and sometimes playing with our neighbour's dog at the park for about 1 hour, so I think he is doing fine. However, puppy run/ moves at his own pace which means he would lay for rest.

If required I will take more photos.

Thank you.

 

[musicdeb]

His paws look ok to me, I see no sign of knuckling. Here's a pic of knuckling. Can you get a video of him walking from front and back?




Here are some forum posts about knuckling or the possibility of the issue.

Knuckling what would you do - Mastiff Forum

Can someone give me an update with knuckling? Need Help with new puppy! - Mastiff Forum

 

[DMikeM]

Actually he is developing flipper feet. Fallen pasterns medical term is carpal subluxation syndrome. You need to keep his weight down and exersize on uneven ground like gravel, rocks and sand pits. Hiking up and down small hills will help too. They say reducing proteins and adding vitamin C and fish oil helps. I also have seen people start using Sure Grow 100 when this happens and it seems to straighten out pretty fast.

 

[musicdeb]

Thanks Mike for giving it a name. Mike to the rescue!

 

[DMikeM]

Haha, well I remember this because Odi started to have it when he was a pup. So I went on a mad search on how to fix him up. The hiking and diet change with the Sure Grow straightened him right out.

 

[corsotx]

Thanks Musicdeb and Mike for clarifying the name of the issue.

I will add the fish oil and sure grow 100 and walk him on grass, rocks/ sand play surface as much as possible. About hiking, that would be a problem though. Any other suggestions?

How long did it take to fix Odi? Thanks!

 

[WyomingWild]

Mike would you recommend puppy any mastiff puppy on it? Just to ensure the proper growth for the puppy or is it just to correct growing problems?

 

[corsotx]

I think most puppy that is large and fast growing might requires it if symptoms occur. Please check the link regarding Sure Grow 100.

http://wrinkydinkspetgifts.stores.yahoo.net/sugrforprbog1.html

 

[DMikeM]

Sure Grow 100 was recommended to me by a Boerboel breeder that has a long history of producing exceptional dogs. She recommended having the Boerboel on it during the teething stages and extreme growth spurts. She also told me it would prevent the ears from falling or going rose like Jade;s did and she either was spot on the money or Odi was just a better dog in general. His easty westy feet and week pasterns cleared up in just a month and I only used 1 or 2 tabs per day.

I think all mastiffs (dogs) would benefit from it. I know some will say don't add any calcium suppliments to the diet but I saw results and found dozens of other forums where people used it and it pretty much cure the dogs bone issues. Also Odi never showed any signs of growing pains and he was putting on a pound a day and 3/4 to an inch a day for a few months. So yeah, I would recommend it for any mastiff type dog.

 

[WyomingWild]

Thanks Mike! Might consider putting our pup on it

 

[Hector]

I think you should put your dog on kibble. It doesn't sound like you are giving him a balanced raw diet. That will lead to issues especially for growing puppies. Yeah the dog looks like he has weak pasterns.

 

[corsotx]

I am following as close to the example of feeding raw as possible. Hector, would you mind sharing an example raw food diet that you are feeding?

 

[Hector]

I don't feed soley raw anymore, but I never followed the 80/10/10 too closely and I made portions and put in the freezer. There was a heated thread that included a study of great danes and poodles that anything calcium source given under the age of 6 months is readily absorbed, so calcium/phos balance is very important at those critical stages.

I used to feed Hector around 3lbs of meat (estimate 2% of his adult weight). Now I had no clue how balanced or how much excess calcium is in a chicken back or leg quarter, but I always went by weight. I'd split out portions. I'd make sure to include organs and muscle meat like liver, beef tongue, calf liver, gizzards, hearts and I would feed mainly chicken and would add meaty pork or beef to his meals. Some days I'd give him very little bone and add more meat.

I'm no expert on raw feeding and I don't feel comfortable enough anymore to make my own raw meals for pups so my next pup will be on a high quality kibble until they get older.

 

[corsotx]

Appreciate it Hector. Which specific kibble would you recommend?

 

[Hector]

See that's the thing too, different dogs will react to different kibble. I used to feed the dogs Earthborn and they did well and I switched over to TOTW because it was cheaper, but the price went up and is the same as Earthborn so I switched them back and they had greyish soft stools for weeks, so I got gave the bag away and went back to TOTW. I don't know if I will feed my pup TOTW. I'm am looking at Orijen or Annamaet. Orijen looks to have much more meat content in it.

Orijen Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 28.6-lb bag

Annamaet Grain-Free Manitok Red Meat Formula Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag

 

[Hector]

I'd love to feed raw to a pup, but I just personally don't feel comfortable enough. I want them to get all the necessary nutrition when they are developing.

 

[corsotx]

I understand. I just feel like I am disappointing him that I made a mistake.

 

[corsotx]

I understand. I just feel like I am disappointing him that I made a mistake.

Anyway, how many cups are you feeding your mastiff puppy?

 

[Hector]

I understand. I just feel like I am disappointing him that I made a mistake.

Anyway, how many cups are you feeding your mastiff puppy?

You are not doing anything wrong. You are just trying to give him the best nutrition possible. I did not feed my mastiff pup kibble even though he was on kibble in the morning and raw at night at the breeders (he was 4 months old when I got him). He had a very weakened digestive/immune system and had diarrhea for a month. I tried to give him kibble, but hehad a lot of diarrhea, so I just stuck with raw meat. He was on raw until almost 1.5 or 2 years old before I started giving him kibble again. He was very lean when on raw, but ever since his injury and age, I think he thickened up and also gained weight because of the lack of exercise. He's 2.5 yrs old now and I give him a cup of kibble with his salmon oil and glucosamine powder mixed in for breakfast and then raw for dinner.

I read a lot of people feed their pups 5-6 cups of kibble a day. How many lbs of raw is your pup eating?

 

[corsotx]

He weighs 43 lbs but only eating 3lbs per day which is not the 10% according to the raw diet guide for puppy. However he weighs according to the breed's growth chart. He does potty and drink as usual.