Hi, we got a yellow lab puppy few weeks ago and he is 12 weeks now. Since yesterday I observed that he is sitting in a different posture. Wanted to check with you guys if you think he has bad hips. He has a Vet appointment next week. I am worried about his sitting posture. Do you guys think this is a normal posture or is this related to bad hips. His parents health was perfect though. Also, I feel that he is thin for his age, as I can see his ribs. He weighs 13 pounds at 12 weeks. Please share your thoughts.
In those photos he looks good to me. I wouldn't worry about how he's sitting. Some dogs have a very casual and sloppy way of sitting and by itself that doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with their hips. The hip joint is designed to allow a wide range of movement. By all means get the vet to check out his joints but don't subject yourself to worrying about it beforehand
Your puppy looks exactly like my puppy who is just 14 weeks except mine's back legs are even longer. My puppy Red's back legs have grown more quickly in proportion to the rest of her body during the past weeks (she reminds me of a hare ). I take this as totally normal development and that the rest of her will catch up. Also Red looks quite thin - she was 9 kg when weighed two weeks ago - again I take this as normal.
My girl can sit like that sometimes, usually when she's tired or just chilling. He looks good to me body wise, he has a lot of growing to do so will at times look very leggy, sometimes looking a bit chubby, but it will even out once he's finished growing.
I have the laziest sitter I've ever seen - it's not related to hip health. My first pup never, ever once sat lazily - this one does it a lot. So much so she sometimes topples over!
My puppy (20 weeks) has a very sloppy sit. It's nothing to worry about. My first two puppies never sat like she does! My boy, Shadow, who is now 2.5years was a skinny puppy. He'd get to a good shape and then have a growth spurt which made him skinny again. If you can increase his food a bit, that's great, but for Shadow, it gave him an upset tummy when I tried more food. I wouldn't worry. He doesn't look too skinny - and not as skinny as Shadow, either. It's quite normal to see all their ribs when they're eating, sniffing etc.
Your messages make me feel good. Thank you all. I Will keep you posted about the X-ray results after his vet appointment.
I am currently feeding him 1 3/4 cup per day split into 3 meals. I tried increasing that to 2 cups and he had a very upset tummy on the first day. So I am feeding him 1 3/4 cup as per instructions on the bag.
Me, I would NOT Xray that little cutie-pie. Lots of puppies sit that way, it's not a sign of anything wrong at all. Now, if he seemed to be in pain or unable to move properly I would consult first with my breeder and then with my VEt. Xrays aren't any better for dogs than they are for us and the cumulative damage of Xray itself is something I keep in mind. Plus, he might be sedated or manhandled to be Xrayed, ask about that, and I wouldn't want that either. I really would question the motives and experience of a Vet who would Xray puppy hips based on that sit.
Cooper sits just like that most of the time. She is 25" tall at the rear, and has back legs like a kangaroo. She only does a proper sit when she is at attention.
Hi there, my girl has hip dysplasia. A sloppy sit isn't a sign of this condition. A limp MIGHT be. X=rays so young won't show anyhting much at all - not really worthwhile until our dogs are around a year as far as I know. I wouldn't put your pup through an x-ray = if wont prove or rule out the hip dysplasia.
Hi what a cutie pie. From the photo's it looks like a typical lazy puppy sit to me - my sisters boy still sits like that and his is nearly 18 months old and his hips are fine! X-rays for puppies can include being sedated which I would be wary of doing at such a young age.
