[ChinaMark]

Hi,
I hope someone can give me some advice as I have fallen in love with a Rough Collie puppy which I dearly want to buy. I saw her this evening, she is 3 months old and appears to be in perfect health. Good teeth and gums, gorgeous coat, clean eyes and ears. She is active and playfull without being overly so!
The reason I didn't buy her and bring her straight home was because her rear feet point outwards and she seemed to stumble at times when walking although she was also running and jumping with absolutely no sign of pain.
I have read a lot about Collies and how they are prone to hip dysplasia and I am worried that this might be the first signs of it. I asked the owner who told me that this was common in young puppies as they are growing and have to support the weight of their bodies.
Is this true or is he just trying to get the puppy off his hands. Admittedly he is not a reputable breeder but the puppy seemed very happy with him and was obeying all of his commands.
He just wants to sell the puppy because he works fall time and can't devote enough time to what Collies really need.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

[labman]

At 3 months, it is almost impossible to detect hip dysplasia except for the very worst cases in which the dog would not be as active as normal. I am no specialist in Collies, but puppies often are clumsy things. Did your reading include www.akc.org? They have good material on all breeds, plus good references. You might find something specific to Collies. Perhaps make the sale conditional on a vet you selected clearing the dog. Unlike me, the vet will be able to see the dog walk. If you have not been using a vet, an early checkup along with transferring the shot records is a good idea. Raising a puppy can be scary at times. Having a vet to call, can be very reassuring. If the breeder did not have a heart worm and flea program you are continuing, you need to talk about them with the vet too. There are good flea products over the counter, but heart worm preventative must come from a vet.

If the puppy is fine, the breeder shouldn't have any problem with the vet check.

Don't buy a big bag of puppy chow. To help reduce the chances of HD, change her over to adult chow in another month.

[ChinaMark]

Thanks Labman, I appreciate your reply. I also found some information saying that puppies who are excessively crated can have this problem as they are not getting enough free play exercise to fully strengthen their hind legs... I'm hoping that this is what the case is here. It would make sense as the owners work all day and I know they do crate the puppy.

The owner was happy to agree that the sale will be conditional on a vet check so that's what I will do and is also a good sign that the puppy will check out OK.

Thanks again.

[ChinaMark]

I was lucky enough to find a really nice pet shop owner to come with me to see the puppy again who advised me that the puppy was undernourished with a calcium deficiency which was leading to bad bone growth... apart from that he said she was fine.
The good news is I bought her home last night and she is settling in very well... she is gorgeous, so intelligent and an amazing temperament and with a good diet she will be in perfect health in no time.
She is being treated this evening for a slight flea infestation as well.
Thanks once again for taking the time to reply.
Mark

[labman]

Have your vet confirm the calcium deficiency. Most puppy chows provide as much or more calcium than is best or good joint development in the large breeds. Excess calcium prevents the body from absorbing what it needs, counter intuitive. An early switch to the less rich adult chow is one of the best things you can do for growing joints. What authority does this come from? Am I just one more kook on the net?

Suppose you knew a breeder that bred hundreds of dogs a year, mostly Labs, Shepherds, and Goldens. They provided all the medical care for most of them the first year. At the end of it, they did a complete physical including hip X-rays on all of them. They then spent $35,000 training them before giving them away. They have a large data base of breeding records. Dogs with any physical or temperamental problems are unfit for the program and are a waste. Their well equipped clinic is available for serious problems as long as the dog is working. When the dog is no longer able to work, it is replaced at again the $35,000 plus a large emotional upheaval for the person depending on the dog. They have experimented with different diets and exchanged data with other such breeders. Don't you think that what ever they are feeding is healthy and safe?

I have been raising puppies since 1991 for a large dog guide school that does exactly that. What do they feed? They instruct us to feed Pro Plan chicken and rice puppy chow until 4 months and then switch to adult Pro Plan chicken and rice. I know enough of the people with the trained dogs to know they continue the Pro Plan. The group I meet with monthly for training includes people that have raised puppies for 6 different service dog schools. Some of them are feeding other premium commercial chows including Iams and Eukanuba. The school also forbids calcium supplements.

[ChinaMark]

Just a quick update to finish this particular topic.

After just 4 days of good regular exercise and a healthy balanced diet she now walks perfectly with all 4 feet aligned. I am very happy and relieved... and she is too!