Pup walking on its elbows.

[Tubba]

Hi all i am new to the forum and i'm hoping someone can help. A close friend of mine has brought 2 pups one of which is fine but the other is walking with its feet pointing inwards and what seems to be walking on her forearms/ elbows. My friend has took the do to the vets as its only around 10 weeks old only to be told they are not sure what it is at the min and to give it a few days to see if the pup picks up. ( Change the vet i thought). He has contacted the breeder who has basically said i've had you money now pi** off. So if there is anyone on the forum who has had any similar experiences it would be a big help. Elbow dysplacia is his main worry its really upset him as he has paid a lot of money for these pups and the breeder can't give him any advice or help whatsoever. many thanks Tub.

[Rothievale]

So sorry to hear your friend has had this misfortune. Is there any way of posting a picture on here to see exactly what you mean? I can't really imagine a dog walking on it's elbows! I would've thought that the vet would be the first port of call.....maybe get a second opinion?

[looandbea]

Sounds bad. Was the dog like that when he went to pick it up??? Take it to another vet..

[Tubba]

I don't have a picture to post sorry its a bit of a strange one really because his uncle got the dog for him who trains them for gun dogs apparently the dog is a pedigree gut has not been registered. There fore there is no 12 weeks free insurance or however long it is now with the kennel club. The breeder wants nothing to do with it now and says its not his problem . He paid £450 a pup and looks like he is gonna loose out on one of them. The pup has only just started to do this in the last few days or so, he hasn't even had it a week. I'm gutted for him to be honest he's a good hard working lad hope fully there might be a bit of light at the end of the tunnel for the pup.

[dannygundog]

Hello there,

Sorry to hear about your pup. I had a very similar problem with my puppy. He walked ok but ran on his elbows. We took him to the vets and they refered us back and forth, they told us he had all sorts up with him and that he would need many opperations and metal plates etc!!. So in the end we took him to a highly recommended top leg surgeon at Dovecoat Vets in Castle Donnington who x-rayed him again and told us that he would grow out of it and he defo doesnt need an opp!! We were so pleasently shocked!! But yep he was right and with a little bit of time he was running normal again!!

Danny

[Tubba]

I have just been down to see the pup it is 10 weeks old, its not waking on its elbows its just like its feet are rotating in its legs are straight but after 5 mins or so its like there is no strength in them. I said to my mate it looks like its having a growth spurt and its legs ain't quite caught up yet it has massive feet an to be honest it looks well. Would it be wise to feed the pup on minced chicken along with some dry food.

[Tubba]

Hello there,

Sorry to hear about your pup. I had a very similar problem with my puppy. He walked ok but ran on his elbows. We took him to the vets and they refered us back and forth, they told us he had all sorts up with him and that he would need many opperations and metal plates etc!!. So in the end we took him to a highly recommended top leg surgeon at Dovecoat Vets in Castle Donnington who x-rayed him again and told us that he would grow out of it and he defo doesnt need an opp!! We were so pleasently shocked!! But yep he was right and with a little bit of time he was running normal again!!

Danny

That's great news the pup is in no pain what so ever he looks really well to be honest, fingers crossed he will be sound.

[Rookie]

Would it be wise to feed the pup on minced chicken along with some dry food.

All sounds a bit odd to me, what breed is it?

I'd be restricting it's exercise and taking it back to a vet. In the meantime I'd be putting it onto a high quality complete puppy food. I wouldn't unbalance it by adding anything extra.

[Wycoller.]

Rather odd for such a young dog to change so quickly unless it's been damaged.

Large dog breeds can grow what I call Charlie Chaplin feet if they are growing to fast for their bones to keep up. I know that sounds daft but not all bones grow at the same rate.

My other thought could be diet or more likely mineral shortages. If lambs are short on selenium their legs go all over the place and they tend to have a curved back, not arched but curved left or right.

[vicky payne]

Get a second opinion from another vet. This could be any number of problems and he wrong supplementation could make them worse.