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    azg5009's Avatar
    azg5009 Posts: 32, Reputation: 2
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    #1

    Oct 18, 2009, 01:55 PM
    Bow legged, will it ever hurt as he ages?
    Hi, my dog is an adopted 6 year old Maltese. He was extremely overweight (I'm talking 15lbs to a normal 6-9lbs) and his previous owner held him a lot leading him to become bow legged. I am wondering if this will ever hurt him as he ages or anything I should be concerned with.

    Thanks in advance!
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
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    #2

    Oct 18, 2009, 02:01 PM

    What does the Vet say? It's not curable, at any rate. It is more probably a "genetic defect," if it's a defect at all. Did the Vet say this was caused by holding him a lot?
    azg5009's Avatar
    azg5009 Posts: 32, Reputation: 2
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    #3

    Oct 18, 2009, 02:43 PM

    I haven't asked the vet yet. It just seemed to make sense with the lifestyle he lived before
    teachnk's Avatar
    teachnk Posts: 275, Reputation: 50
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    #4

    Oct 18, 2009, 05:38 PM

    Getting him to a healthy weight is the best thing you can do to protect his joints. When you go have the vet set up a weight loss and exercise plan to help get him to a healthy weight at an appropriate pace.
    shazamataz's Avatar
    shazamataz Posts: 6,642, Reputation: 1244
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    #5

    Oct 18, 2009, 09:38 PM

    It's unlikely it was because she held him a lot unless she was doing it 24 hours a day.
    His weight may be a factor yes, so a diet is needed immediately.
    You can buy special food for overweight dogs from pet stores or make your own so you know exactly what is going in it.

    Do you have any photos you could share?
    It may just be the structure of the dog, like for example my poodle b*tches legs turn outwards when she stands, it's not a health problem... just an aesthetic fault.
    azg5009's Avatar
    azg5009 Posts: 32, Reputation: 2
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    #6

    Oct 19, 2009, 09:02 AM
    Yes I do. I'm not sure these picture will do justice. His weight is down now. This first picture was taken three months after I got him. This other is from a month ago.
    azg5009's Avatar
    azg5009 Posts: 32, Reputation: 2
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    #7

    Oct 19, 2009, 09:07 AM
    Here they are.
    Attached Images
      
    Just Dahlia's Avatar
    Just Dahlia Posts: 2,155, Reputation: 445
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    #8

    Oct 19, 2009, 09:18 AM
    What a cutie! Bow legs and all. :) Congratulations!
    azg5009's Avatar
    azg5009 Posts: 32, Reputation: 2
    Junior Member
    		  
    #9

    Oct 19, 2009, 09:22 AM

    Thank you, best thing that has happened to me. Yes it adds character to him. I just want to make sure they won't ever hurt him.
    Just Dahlia's Avatar
    Just Dahlia Posts: 2,155, Reputation: 445
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    #10

    Oct 19, 2009, 09:26 AM
    My poodle also has a little bow legs and he has had no problems. When you take him to the vet, he will be able to let you know for sure.
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
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    #11

    Oct 19, 2009, 10:26 AM

    What a cutie! Great face!
    shazamataz's Avatar
    shazamataz Posts: 6,642, Reputation: 1244
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    #12

    Oct 19, 2009, 10:02 PM

    Of coarse a vet check is always necessary but to me it just looks like he as a wide front...
    His legs don't appear to be actually bowed so it's more the depth of his chest... no problem, just an aesthetic fault in show terms.

    He is definitely a heart breaker... so cute!
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