Hi All there,

I have a Golden 3 months Old and for the past 2 weeks he is not eating what he should be. Am a bit worried on his health. His hind legs are getting weak and he has a curvature that goes into his abdomen. Can anyone help me by giving tips in getting by Golden by on track.

:( :confused:

What does the vet say?

Hi Angel_wings

I went to the Vet on Saturday and he said its just normal for Large Breads to have the curvature in the hind legs at this age. On the appetite he said he needs to be given some Tablets for de-worming and he should be all right. Have also prescribed some Cod-lever oil called "VITABEST" and some Calcium syrup.


I am some how not convinced with this...

:confused:

Neither am I. It sounds like he is sick, but I don't like what the vet is giving him. It is not intuitive, but excess calcium is very bad for growing large breeds. If you are feeding a commercial puppy chow, he should be getting as much or more vitamins and calcium as he needs and in the right ratios.

It is hard for me to picture what you are describing. Goldens will normally eat more than is good for them and look for more. Compare him to the pictures at LongLiveYourDog.com - Life Span Study - Rate Your Dog (http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx)[ It is possible you are over feeding him and his hind legs are weak due to excessively fast growth and over weight. You should switch him to an adult chow, best sticking with the same protein source as you have been feeding. Adjust what you are feeding to reach the ideal body condition.

What else you do depends on what his current body condition is. If he is too big, and too fat from eating too much of too rich of a diet, then a reduced amount of adult chow may be all he needs.

Note, edited to correct link to evaluating the body condition.

If he isn't overweight, or is under weight, I would seek out a different vet, one more up to date on caring for large breed puppies. The vets at the dog guide school have hundreds of them a year under their care. The early switch to adult chow and no vitamin and calcium supplements along with good breeding, have almost eliminated joint problems.