WOW! That really is a massive difference. And yes he certainly has grown - what a gorgeous dog. I love ridgies

Thank you Ksmith . Yes, it is a huge difference and sometimes I tend to forget just what a difference it really is until I go back over and compare photos. I hope your boy's problem is something also which can be worked out through diet. I went with EP holistic large breed puppy for the lower protein content compared to some others. That, and because it is also recommended by many - for general use as well as for use in growth issues such as this. If it is dietary (and from what you recently say, then it may well be), then remember not to be in so much of a hurry to load the weight on. Sure ... you want them healthy and with some cover, but the bone structure is the focal point at this stage. If you feed too much it can encourage faster growth spurts, and you don't really want that, assuming carpel laxity is the issue. Bulking out can come later.

Yes absolutely. When we got her and she was so skinny my focus was just to fatten her up. Even though I have had three dogs before I had never heard of issues like these. Thanks to all the friendly advice I am now a little bit wiser regarding the nutritional needs of dogs and certainly about the fact that it is such an important issue. I thought I had done my research there's obviously more to do.

Great to hear.

Pretty sure with the reduced feeding things will get back to normal.

Did your vet even tell you to cut back her food at all?

No. And when I asked whether she thought it was knuckling over she looked at me like I was a bit of an idiot!

My intial upset at the vet has now become a bit of anger. Even if she does turn out to be right, which is looking doubtful, she certainly didn't handle it with much sensitivity. And I was thinking if I had never posted I would still be feeding her like I was and she probably would now just be a whole lot worse and I would be none the wiser as to the possibility of it being knuckling over. I guess not all vets are created equal!

But it's been great to have more positive advice and opinions from all of you

Time to get a new vet I think.

For them not to even suggest it was knuckling and then to assess your pups diet. Making suggestions including cutting down food is pretty bad on their behalf.

Knuckling is something that needs to be delt with quickly otherwise pups can be left with permanant problems.

I agree. It's back to my old vet on the other side of town. At least I can trust him - always on call, never over-dramatises, just a really cool animal loving guy.

By the way I just read Pippy and Poppy's story, the poor little dears. How's Poppy's leg? I hope she's recovering well.

Pop is sitting on my lap right now. She doesn't realise anything is wrong with her other then she is not allowed to run around and either has to be held or confined to her crate or puppy pen for toileting. She is using the leg, with the cast on it, and putting weight on it and her surgeon is happy. Into the third week now of ten. Pip is still with their mum and being a massive sook.

10 weeks - at least she's in good hands and I'm glad things are going well for her

not all vets know the ins and outs of nutritional problems manifesting as physical symptoms - how many dogs I have seen in and out of vets with skin/ear problems and on hundreds of dollars worth of meds only to be on teh road to recovery after a simple diet change.

fattening up is over rated. As long as the pup is not emaciated and there is decent steady muscle growth then that is the important part. My dogue took longer to grow but he's a nice solid healthy dog now even though he was shorter then many others while he was growing. Big deal I had a healthy dog that kicked arse at lure coursing when many people laughed that he would be too slow

remember too that large - giant breeds can take anywhere from 18 months to 3 years to finish maturing! We still hold this misconception that by the age of 12 months its done and dusted which spurs on this over feeding myth. Less can be more Good luck with your pup I'm sure it will come good in your care

'cutting back on food" ??
shouldn't that be

"changing the amounts of proteins/minerals in the diet, instead of just reducing pup's daily intake"?


or am I confuddled?

ksmith- I am glad your girl is looking better!!!

Nope. Simply overfeeding can cause knuckling. The other cause is the calcium & phosphrus levels being out of whack.