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-   -   I'm worried about my german sheperd puppies front legs (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=350304)

  • May 5, 2009, 10:14 PM
    gamegodessss
    Im worried about my german sheperd puppies front legs
    I have a Black german sheperd puppy. She is 6 months old and she has huge leg bones and feet. Looking at her standing from the side view, her paws look webbed and she stands on the back of her pads. Her leg is almost L shaped. Actually a backwards L shape. Should I be worried? I cannot afford to take her to the Vet at this time but hopefully all that will change soon. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I will ad a picture tomorrow. Thanks
  • May 5, 2009, 10:24 PM
    gamegodessss
    1 Attachment(s)
    Here is a picture of her legs
  • May 5, 2009, 11:04 PM
    shazamataz

    Oh my goodness...

    That is caused pure and simply by a poor diet.
    This is pretty common in larger breeds when the breeder/owner tries to add too many extra vitamins and calcium into the dogs diet.

    The best thing to feed is just plain giant breed dog. No additives!

    This may need surgery to correct it.

    Was the puppys legs like this when you bought her?

    Or has it only started happening since you had her?

    What are you feeeding?
  • May 5, 2009, 11:05 PM
    Silverfoxkit

    This definitely does not look normal. This needs to be treated before it becomes permanent damage. How long have the legs been like this?

    It may be this or something similar to it.

    Knuckling Over and HOD - Developmental Orthopedic Disease | GREATDANELADY.COM

    I would really suggest having a vet look at her as soon as you can. Your vet should be able to accurately diagnose the problem.
  • May 5, 2009, 11:07 PM
    shazamataz

    Funny that you posted a great dane site silver because they are the most prone to it :)

    We breed great danes and a lady came to us with her dog that had exactly the same problem.
    She had been adding calcium and yoghurt and suppliments to his diet...
    He needed surgery to fix the bones.
    It was a slow process of 'stretching' the bones 1mm a day and breaking them back into the right position.
  • May 5, 2009, 11:10 PM
    Silverfoxkit

    Poor baby, that sound extremely painful. I hope it hasn't gotten that far with this puppy.
  • May 5, 2009, 11:31 PM
    gamegodessss

    I have had jade since she was 4 weeks old. Her mother died and so we bottle fed her. Her legs were fine when she was younger. I just started really noticing this as she just went through a growing spurt. We do not feed her anything but kibble for large puppies. She does not get table scraps or anything. Besides bone treats to chew on. She is very healthy. I will be taking her to the vet as soon as I can afford it. It really just kills me that I can't take her now. She is my world and then some! BTW- She doesn't appear to be in pain at all. She acts and plays just like a puppy. Her feet are sooo big and heavy. When she walks on my tile floor, you can hear her nails scuff the floor with each step.
  • May 5, 2009, 11:34 PM
    shazamataz

    Could possibly have something to do with being bottle fed from such a young age but the usual culprit is diet...
    I'll see if I can get my mum on here to give you more info...
    She's pretty much a dog expert.
  • May 5, 2009, 11:42 PM
    shazamataz
    Ok, she couldn't come on but here's her answer:

    Can you please check the protein content of the food you are giving her.

    The food should not be higher than 25% protein.

    Do NOT feed any puppy foods as they usually contain 27-30% protein. For larger breeds they must be fed an adult food.

    If the protein content is lower than 25% then it is simply caused by a poor quilaity food.

    She suggests Eagle Pack Giant Breed. It is a little more expensive than regular brands but it the most suitable one for large breeds.

    You can try giving her vitamin C to help his condition (It's not a quick fix, she will still need to go to the vet)
  • May 6, 2009, 07:59 AM
    Just Dahlia
    There are some vets that will take payments, it certainly can't hurt to ask around:)
  • May 6, 2009, 08:42 AM
    Silverfoxkit

    Yes, many vets do accept payment plans. I had a puppy with a similar problem once and although it hadn't gotten as bad as your pups the visit was relatively cheap. If this is not corrected soon your dog 's legs may become permanently deformed.
  • May 7, 2009, 06:33 AM
    gamegodessss
    First of all I want to thank everyone for their time and efforts responding to my question. I found out my dog has carpal subluxation syndrome. I am currently looking into my options. Thank you
  • May 7, 2009, 06:34 AM
    shazamataz

    I'm glad you found out what was wrong gamegoddess, I hope you can find a vet that will do a payment plan for you :)
  • May 7, 2009, 06:37 AM
    shazamataz
    Here's a site where with a german shepherd with the condition...
    They managed to fix it by changing his diet...
    I hope you have as much success, check with a vet first though :)

    Carpal Subluxation Syndrome

    EDIT - I don't really agree with all the suppliments they added to his diet, just cutting out all the protein does wonders.

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