Worried about Elwood

[interzone]

For those of you that have seen the video in my last post, can I ask does Elwood look as he should for his age?

He is 16 weeks old and weighs 18.5 kilos. He appears to be gaining about 2 kg a week. We are a little worried about a noticeable arch to his back. So much so we took him to the Vets today who, whilst agreeing with what we said, appeared completely stumped. He is walking, running, sitting, playing and everything else he should be with no limp or apparent pain.

Research has thrown up one arguement that it is part of the fast growth raite and should settle down and another argument that refers to it as a roached back.

It does look like his back end is higher than his front!

I have contacted the breeder and await a response re any similar issues with his parents and await a response.

We also have to ring the Vet on Tuesday to discuss X-Rays and all manor of other scans that she says may be a starting point. I obviously want whats best for Elwood but don't want to pay hundreds of pounds because I am over reacting!

 

[Iymala]

In the video he does look a little roach backed. It could just be his position in play. Can you get a picture of him standing from the side?

As far as I understand it, it is a conformation fault but not necessarily a sign of a health problem. If his rear end was just higher it would not cause a roached back in most cases.

Camel back =roach back

 

[KimT]

I don't think its anything to worry about,little puppies don't know what to do with their back legs lol,They get high in the rear,no wrinkle long nose ten everything seems to change over and over again. I have norman pics, Both of these pictures were taken a day apart 14weeks old

 

[interzone]

The diagram Iymala has posted certainly does suggest its a roached back however his posture is similar to the first photo of Norman in KimT's post!

Changes in his posture or position do either make it more pronounced or not visible.

As this is not affecting his heal should we go ahead with the X-Rays and scans or give it a while to see if things settle down?

The Vet checked all of his joints, they were fine with no response from him to any of the checks. He walks fine both on and off the lead and as previously stated shows no evidence of being in any pain or discomfort.

 

[interzone]

*health

 

[KimT]

I would see if he grows out of it. Wait until he's between 6 and 8 months old,he will really look weird lmao. Rosie was soo high in the rear I wanted to hide her in the closet.

 

[Iymala]

I completely agree. Give it time. I would not go through x rays if that is why you are considering them. If her topline straightens out when she is standing differently then it's just weird puppy posture. Everything but a slight roachback is visible even if they are standing at attention.

 

[Iymala]

P.s. they almost all get super akward looking in their adolescent phase.

 

[CeeCee]

Not having seen a picture of your pup, I have a friend whose Wolfhound puppy had a hump in his back and if I remember correctly it was because the pup was getting too much protein. They decreased the amount of protein in his diet and the hump disappeared in a month or two.

 

[interzone]

He is being fed a large breed puppy kibble (Purina) and has been fed this as long as he has been with us. I understand kibble contains a lot of protein. Is it time to change his diet? say a kibble/meat mix and if so what amounts and how often?

 

[Iymala]

I am not sure where you are located, but I would suggest a better quality kibble. Purina uses a lot of fillers, sub par ingredients and little actual meat protein in their foods. I would also suggest an all life stages product or adult food.

I personally prefer a grain free, high protein kibble with between 1.4 and 1.8% calcium. There had been no scientific evidence to support protein contributing to skeletal growth issues, but a few academic studies showing that it does not. I love the Earthborn Hollistics grain free line and Orijen. I feed Earthborn Hollistics Primitive Natural and an very happy with it. It is keeping claymore at a better weight than the Orijen was.

Some dogs find certain foods too rich for their systems, and you have to balance a good quality food with a food your dog does well on. It's important not to over feed and keep your puppy lean during his growth stages to reduce additional stress on their joints.

 

[interzone]

He seems to have done OK so far on the Purina, however after communication from the breeder I am going to look at his diet.

Here are some photographs just taken (apologies for the quality).

 

[KimT]

I think if he was standing without his back legs underneath him he would look fine,but puppies usually stand which ever which way that helps them keep his balance.I feed mine Royal Canin maxi and they are doing great

 

[Iymala]

Unfortunately, I don't agree. He looks roached to me. Even in the pictures that the feet are behind the hips a bit, like in the last one, his back is still roached.

He may grow out of it, but only time will tell.

 

[KimT]

If we were looking at a dog that was older I would agree but he is only 16 weeks old and he has a lot of changing left almost 2 years of it. Put him in a stack pose with his head up and feet not underneath he would probably look totally different. I would worry so much unless you are going to show and breed and then again he has a lot of growing and changing

 

[interzone]

We are not planning on showing him, despite his excellent pedigree, he is our pet. We just want him to be happy and healthy.

 

[KimT]

that would should have been wouldn't sorry. he looks fine . Im sure he will be fine,dont worry so much,just enjoy him.

 

[KimT]

Oh and you asked about weight,Norman is 16 weeks old,19 inches tall and 47 pounds..

 

[interzone]

My thanks to all, I think I will do a little work to his diet then wait and see.

I wilk keep you posted.

 

[interzone]

Just a quick update on our boy. After some quite detailed discussions with the breeder and with the owner of his Dad we are satisfied that at the moment this is nothing to worry about however, we will of course be monitoring the situaiton over the next few months. He came from a litter of 13 and compared to his litter mates he looks OK.

I have to say its been reassuring to discover how helpful his breeders have been. They in turn consulted with the owners of Elwoods grandparents. Nothing seemed too much trouble to them.

I can't resist posting this photo taken on his 16 week birthday, we had a lovely albeit limited walk on the beach, here he is enjoying the view.