I am not sure Bramble is exactly growing too fast, but certainly very quickly, which is worrying me slightly. She was weighed recently and was 17.1 kg @4.5 months old. Now that I gather is quite heavy. Measured her today and she stands at 48 cm shoulder to ground. She is very slim..and still a bit bow-legged. We are not feeding her the guidelines, but about 20% less. You can see the bumps still on her forelegs so I guess she is going to be a bit taller. I was going to change her onto an adult all life stages diet, but have decided not too based on the calcium levels. My thinking is to stick to a Ca of 1% or slightly less. The MillesW is just over 2%. This morning she was a little stiff in her back legs...I know I probably overdid yesterday, as she found a proper pond and just flew across it. I didn't expect that and I am presuming the change in gait/exercise may be the root of her stiffness this morning. She is a awkward leggy thing anyway. I have also heard that it is not unusual for young labs to experience "growing pains" is there any hard evidence for this? I need to buy more vet bed, as I think our kitchen and hallway tiles are too slippy, her back appear to skid a bit on them. Am I just being a bit paranoid do you think? Never really considered any of this with Benson well apart from the 5min per month exercise. He was never a rush up a mountain, fly across a pond..sort of pup really, quite cautious. Just hugely destructive, still is come to think of it...
I know just how you feel. Obi was much more of a worry than Riley. He developed a limp at one point that we couldn't attribute to anything and due to age the vet thought it could have been growing pains. It sounds like you're doing all the right things though with careful feeding and careful exercise (puppy allowing!) so take a deep breath and carry on
I think I've got to the point of ignoring a puppy's weight for it's age and worrying if they are too heavy, or light - they all seem to grow at different rates. I think it's better to be monitoring their body shape - nice waist, tuck up, ribs felt when hands glide down their sides. As you are monitoring her carefully I would guess that her weight is fine for height and body shape There is a condition called Panosteitis in dogs, commonly called growing pains, but with Bramble it sounds more likely to be the extra activity yesterday. Just keep an eye on her and if you're not happy pop her to the vet. Here's a link on Panosteitis - I researched it when Juno was limping for the 2nd time prior to the ED diagnosis, and I think it was Luffy that was diagnosed with Panosteitis. http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pe...rticle/animal-health/panosteitis-in-dogs/1051 http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2084&aid=466
Really agree to keep her on an appropriate puppy food with the correct levels of calcium/phosperous etc. very sensible. Apart from that, it's difficult to say. She isn't massively tall for a 4.5 month old puppy, and it's fair bet she's got masses more height to grow yet.
Thank you for the link @MaccieD. really interesting! The stiffness does seem to be around one back leg, very slight, but there. Will observe here carefully, and just work on mental exercises, place boards, and short periods of loose lead walking practise. I am around a fair bit over the next 2 weeks. If it doesn't resolve or Brambles looks uncomfortable then straight to the vet!
Hi there, just wanted to say I too still have the similar concerns for Luffy. He's been having issues with his feet since the age of 61/2 months. And is still having issues. I believe I've posted many posts regarding this. We, when Luffy first suffered from pains, took him to the vets and had x-rays done and bloods. Nothing could be diagnosed from the tests and x-rays - the vet told us that he could be suffering from growing pains (Panosteosis). We feed Luffy twice a day, both wet and dry kibble as he's a very fussy eater. He's now 11 months and still suffering intermittently from growing pains. The only thing we can do is restrict his running around - he has these 5-min wild run-arounds near enough everyday, which doesn't help his condition. When he over does it, he tends to suffer the next day. He also thinks he can walk on just his hind legs: he has this not-so-good habit of jumping up at you and handing you his fore-paws and standing on his hind legs. Why he does this sometimes baffles us. Again I don't think this is helping him. Sorry to have digressed. I suggest you keep bramble on restricted exercise and if it does get to distressing for Bramble then take her to the vets. They will probably prescribe anti-inflammatory and pain meds. Stay positive Luffy and I wish Bramble a speedy recovery.
Oh Kate,I read a post like yours and wish I'd kept a more comprehensive record of Dexter....I probably would if he'd come to us at 8 weeks ...and I will do when we get another dog .......one day I hope the regime you are putting her on sorts it out xxx
Thank you everyone! When she got up this morning she hadn't any evidence of stiffness. She wasn't in her crate...but on the sofa! Anyhow I have ordered more large vetbed, plus a non slip hallway runner, so at least she will have a better grip. Going to stop all off lead running for a few days as well as limiting her play sessions with Benson, however we have been fairly strict on that one anyhow. Fingers crossed she is OK...she has a BIG weekend ahead of her! Puppy graduation plus gundog clicker seminar on Saturday....
It's good to hear that there was no sign of stiffness this morning. A couple of quieter days is a good idea though, just as a precaution.
Hi Beanwood My puppy is 5 mths old and my oh thinks he has a slight stiffness in his left back rear leg. He doesnt hop and doesnt seem in any pain when the leg is touched or flexed. I was jyst wondering if Bramble had similar symptoms and if it has now resolved ok? Alfie is at an age where his back legs are very long and i find it difficult to tell what's normal. Thanks
Hi Becky16, it is very difficult to tell what is normal. Bramble is 7.5 months old now and 28 kgs, very, very leggy, but also slim. Taller than both our other two labs. I admit to having real anxiety aver her joints, as she looks so odd. Her back end is too high, her knees look strange and her joint alignment makes me wince! She is now full of energy and a real handful! We do a lot of training but still keeping a close eye on the sort of activity, limiting stop/starts for example, as this sort of exercise puts real strain on young growing joints and bones. Instead we are working on balance, co-ordination and strength. Retrieves are more about hunting, meaning we hide toys/kong in long grass and encourage her to find it. Plus working on static skills, positioning, staying close, heel work and sit/stay. We are careful re: diet, keeping her calcium and phosphorus levels low. This is important in growth of large breed dogs, you don't want them to grow bone too quickly. Our 2.5 year old was at the vets recently for hip and knee Xrays, and she commented on the quality of his bone and muscle. She rarely sees such good xrays in a labrador. I am pretty sure this is due to good diet and exercise management, obviously genetics play a big part too. Bramble did develop another limp but that was a muscle tweak which resolved completely after 24 hours. I think recurrent stiffness after being in the crate/bed for a period of time, which seems to disappear after a few minutes is a symptom to watch out for, plus and unevenness in both hips when sitting, a reluctance or hesitation to sit/lay down are symptoms to keep an eye on. Odd gait I think in puppies/young dogs are hard to evaluate whether "normal" or not. Bramble had a pronounced sort of waddle until she was about 6 months, I didn't like that either, as I was so used to seeing the neat, tidy trotting motion of the other dogs. Personally, regarding your boy, I would not hesitate to take him in for a check up at your vets. If you have an orthopaedic vet at the surgery, all the better! You could combine this with his 6 mth health check up, it should allay your worries at the very least! Make a few notes first, of anything you are concerned about, really quizz the vet and make the most use of their time. I do admit they are a worry though! I didn't feel any of this anxiety with our first pup Benson. He was just your usual common or garden chocolate nightmare!
Thank you so much for the response!! They do cause us some anxiety these pups!! Someone told me dogs were supposed to help anxiety and stress lol. I think i will do as you suggest and pop him to the vets
