Hi, First post so please forgive me if i don't provide enough info or make any errors I have an 18 week old lab pup. I got her at 11.5 weeks (the breeder kept hold of her for a couple of weeks due to our circumstances). When we got her she had a slight outwards turn in her front paws, however I have noticed over the past month or so this has got dramatically worse. When we saw her at 5 weeks, she didn't have an outward turn. We have hard flooring which I know isn't ideal so I have put rubber matting down in her play pen and bits of old carpet in parts where she plays and near the back door. I have also read that too much protein can sometimes be a factor... she was on Arden grange large breed puppy/junior which is 26% protein. I have now got her on Millie's Wolf-heart gun dog mix (suitable for adults and pups) which is 24% protein and a very good quality food. She has a cod liver oil tablet a day and I squeeze half an orange into her morning feed, as I read this should all help as sometimes it can be a vitamin deficiency. It has been a few weeks now and there is no change, its almost like she's got used to sitting this way with her paws. I understand she's only a pup and growing, but every lab pup I have seen does not have this issue. Does anyone have any advice or have experienced similar with their pup? Should i take her the vet? (altho i have a feeling they may say to see how her legs are when shes more of her adult size) Any help would be appreciated! Thanks I'm going to attempt to upload some photos for you to see underneath :S 5 weeks 5 weeks 2 by Jenna Gore, on Flickr 5 weeks by Jenna Gore, on Flickr 12 weeks 12 weeks by Jenna Gore, on Flickr 14 weeks 14 weeks by Jenna Gore, on Flickr 18 weeks (now) 18 weeks 2 by Jenna Gore, on Flickr 18 weeks by Jenna Gore, on Flickr
Hello, I have no helpful advice but just wanted to say she is a gorgeous girl. Maybe mention it to you vet next time you are there, maybe booster time
Hi Jenna- I read your post thinking that you were worrying about nothing. The little fella in my profile pic is about 6 months old here and you can see that he was quite 'easty-westy'- enough for me to be concerned at the time. He is over a year old now and has straightened up nicely. When I saw your pictures though, this is more than just an 'easty-westy'. I am not a vet but this does look like the pasterns are also very luxated. Have you spoken to your breeder and vet about this? This link has some info (possibly anecdotal) on feeding (low protein being beneficial. The feed you are giving is 24%) http://siriusdog.com/carpal-subluxation-and-weak-pasterns/
Hi Jenna Welcome to the site. I mentioned Toby’s turned out paws at an early vet’s appointment and they said not to worry unless they got worse.They straightened over time. I would say from the photos they are getting progressively worse so would pop her to the vets if I was you. Let us know how you get on.
Hi there, Thanks for the replies. I have taken her to the vet and they have said she does have carpal issues with her two front legs (her back legs are fine). They have said they want to do x-rays to see whats going on, and are also including elbow x-rays to see if it may be linked in any way. (£640 for 8 x-rays and sedation ) They are going to phone me to see whether the in-house orthopaedic vet will do the x-rays or whether they will refer her to a specialist. Depending on results, we could be looking at surgery to correct her legs whilst she is still young and the growth plates haven't closed (the vet mentioned potentially inserting metal plates depending on x-ray results). She's not in pain and still very active and puppy-like, but I cant help but feel so sad and upset for her. She's from very good working lines (Dad and Grandad are FTCH), however the vet has said even if mum and dad have had no similar issues, she could of just been born with these issues and they have progressed over time as she's grown. Thank you again for your comments, and i will let you know an update once she's had the x-rays
Such good new that you are working on getting this sorted. We'll all keep our fingers crossed for you. You may thik about looking at a low protein diet in the meantime to try to slow the progress of her deformity.
Glad you are getting it sorted whilst she is still young. Are you insured? It is disappointing to have serious issues so early on in their lives be we can only do what’s best for them and get through it. Keep us updated.
Yes thankfully she's insured... i think i would of had a heart attack by now if she wasn't! Although i need to pay for the x-rays before i can claim it back, so good job its pay day this Friday haha!
In house orthopaedic vet is happy to see her for a consultation and x-rays so she is booked in for next Tuesday... fingers crossed it's nothing too drastic!
Yes, they will do this if she needs any surgery but x-rays and consultations, i pay up front... I am going to a different branch next week as that is the branch with the x-ray facilities, so I will ask again if they can liaise with the insurance company for me... fingers crossed!
Hi All, It's been a couple of months so thought i would bring you up to date with Willow and her little legs. So, x rays showed that she has had premature closure of her ulna plates, and meanwhile the radius has continued to grow and has had nowhere to go, so has resulted in the bowing of her legs. She has had two separate operations on each leg (ten days apart) where the surgeon has cut a part of her ulna bone to relieve the pressure and hopefully straighten her legs back as they continue to grow. She is 5.5 weeks post op on her first leg and 4 weeks post op on her second leg. It is hard to say whether it has worked yet as her legs are still as before... so i'm assuming its as she grows, which could be months? She is back at the vets for more x-rays early next Dec, to check the success of the ops so only time will tell i suppose. As far as temperaments go, she has been an absolute diamond... she is a very laid back pup anyway, but she has just taken the whole thing as it comes (i think we have heard one tiny cry throughout the whole thing) and has just enjoyed the cuddles and tlc she has received... our bond has definitely become stronger Mental stimulation games and toys have been our best friend over the past month or so, and have helped in a huge way at keeping her content and calm. She is however becoming more and more energetic as she's heeling, so trying to keep her calm and quiet is starting to be a challenge (esp at breakfast/lunch/dinner when she is beside herself with excitement!!) This week we have started 2 x 5 min daily walks, which we will build up each week by 5 mins. After her x-rays i'm also hoping to start hydrotherapy sessions with her as part of her rehabilitation. Fingers crossed the ops will be a success and she will go on to make a full recovery! I've included a few photos below of her journey; Picking her up from vets after first op; IMG_0307 by Jenna Gore, on Flickr Sitting with her on the front porch so she can still watch people walking past etc; IMG_0303 by Jenna Gore, on Flickr Lots of training that involved staying still; IMG_0300 by Jenna Gore, on Flickr and of course cuddles (this was this weekend just gone so all stitches out and on the road to recovery); IMG_0299 by Jenna Gore, on Flickr Enjoying some sun in the garden last Friday; IMG_0298 by Jenna Gore, on Flickr
Glad to hear she has done so well during the process, would have been a big change for her to take on! She is absolutely beautiful
Hi Carlos Do you have any pictures? How old is your puppy? What are you feeding it? Has the vet seen it?
I have a purebred lab puppy born July 2020 and have started the process of finding out why he has bowed or duck like feet too. please send me any recent updates and does the vet think your dog will have normal legs and what is the prognosis long term
Hi labsr4me, do you have any pics of your pup? Can I ask what you are feeding? Has the vet offered any advice? Have you been in touch with his breeder?
