Dogsfevr Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Yeah, I know, which is why I am hesitant to call them but at the same time I should let them know, shouldn't I? Would this make them rethink which dogs they use in the future? I don't really want to accuse them of poor practice, our vet suggested contacting them. Presuming the vet is right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fyscha Posted April 8, 2009 Author Share Posted April 8, 2009 THanks guys, my cousin was telling me last night about a bowen therapist not too far away and will give her a call. Will try to get everything else right as far as nails, carpet & diet goes. I really appreciate everyones input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Fox Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Couldn't you just ring the breeder, explain the situation and see what they have to say? At worst the breeder could deny the problem and you're on you're own. More likely however, a good breeder will offer you some suggestions and advice on what to do now. Also, if you signed a contract with the breeder when you purchased the puppy is there any mention of a health guarantee? The problem may or may not be genetic but I'm sure that if you rang the breeder they would be willing to offer some support for you and your pup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fyscha Posted April 8, 2009 Author Share Posted April 8, 2009 Yeah, from what people have been saying I now know the breeder could have a lot more to offer on this problem. I guess I was worried about how to approach it and have a much better idea on what to say and ask than I did before, which is one of the main reasons I started this post. So I will give them a call in the morning and discuss it with them and see how I go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 If the bowen person is good i swaer by them.My dogs see our bowen lady every 2 months Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fyscha Posted April 8, 2009 Author Share Posted April 8, 2009 (edited) My cousin says she is very good. I will contact her tomorrow. I must admit to feeling more positive about the whole thing after starting this post. The vet basically said it was possible she would just have to live with it and while I am happy with what he has done, I am not happy with the finality of the diagnosis. I realise it's possible that he has done what he considers best, but what may not actually be the best course of action. It is now up to us to pursue other options, just need to work out who and where. We are limited with where we are, but are discussing the possibility of going to Sydney. 3 1/2 hours drive, unless someone can recommend someone in central western NSW Dubbo/Parkes/Orange... Edited April 8, 2009 by Fyscha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocolate Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Fyscha, Can you take photo's of your dog standing because it may show the problem better when the feet are weight bearing. I'm not completely clear on whether this is a foot or pastern problem. The pastern is the area from the wrist joint to the foot and if it has hyper extented tendons then it sounds like it is the carpals. That would make the feet look very flat footed as in your pics. I've seen young pups with this as soon as they start getting on their feet and with a good non slip rubber flooring by a few months the muscles and tendons have tightened and they look normal. However, I've also seen pups with seemingly good feet and pasterns at 8 weeks old go hyper extended as they mature. It is unusual for a vet to splint a pup as with them growing it can often cause more problems that it solves. Certainly diet is very important in the growth of a pup and the slippery floors would be a downer on the situation but I really think it's wise to chat to the breeder and just explain to them as you have done this forum on what's happening. However, I think you would have been better contacting them at first sign of problem prior to the splinting even. Genectics come into play sometimes when two very nice parents with good feet and pasterns can produce a pup in a litter where littermates are just fine. Call it a fluke of nature!! If you didn't notice a problem whithin the first couple of weeks of having your pup home then probably it's something which wasn't evident to the breeder either. I am sure they would like to know about it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 They are quite flat feet, but that shouldn't be causing lameness, from the photos, imho. Flat feet aren't a problem - they simply aren't as good as nice tight arched feet, but it doesn't matter much in the general scheme of things I'd get the pup onto Vit. c. Cut the toenails, and after you find the cause of the lameness, try to walk on loose gravel every day for a while. Sometimes, you need an experienced vet to pick up the cause of lameness - sometimes vets see a conformation problem, and diagnose it as causing lameness, on the KISS principle. One of my dogs was slightly lame for a while. I think I m pretty ok on picking up cause of lameness, couldn't find a thing. Took her to the vet, he picked it up within 2 minutes, infected toe joint, course of antibiotics, if that didn't work, the toe would have to come off. There was no obvious sign, and I am quite sure a less experienced vet would have missed it. Antibiotics worked. If you are close enough to the breeder, take the pup there. They may be able to help enormously with advice etc, and they may even know what the problem is. If you are not close enough, phone them up, maybe send some photos. Pup owners often get more help from (good) breeders than from vets, because breeders know the dogs and the lines well. Rule of thumb for every problem ... first port of call is the breeder. If the breeder doesn't know, or couldn't be bothered, then go elsewhere (vet). Some problems ARE straight vet or injury problems, and the breeder will say to go to the vet. Puppy owners have phoned me about what vets have told them are enormous problems, very expensive, and often it is a growth stage, or something quite inexpensive. I am not bashing vets, but some things are "breed specific", and the breeder sees lots of dogs from his line, where a vet only sees a few, and may not have the experience the breeder has. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 My cousin says she is very good. I will contact her tomorrow. I must admit to feeling more positive about the whole thing after starting this post. The vet basically said it was possible she would just have to live with it and while I am happy with what he has done, I am not happy with the finality of the diagnosis. I realise it's possible that he has done what he considers best, but what may not actually be the best course of action. It is now up to us to pursue other options, just need to work out who and where. We are limited with where we are, but are discussing the possibility of going to Sydney. 3 1/2 hours drive, unless someone can recommend someone in central western NSW Dubbo/Parkes/Orange... Call your breeder and speak with them first. Gary Christou helps to keep my guys fit and healthy and usually see's dogs on Tuesday night after 6pm, his contact number is 63612857 A trip to Sydney is just a day in the scheme of things and your dog deserves a second opinion and the best treatment available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R00 Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 I am no expert, but you do need to contact the breeder just out of courtesy. It is very important that they are aware of things like this. Even if they are unable to do anything it is still good for them to know. When one of mine got a minor case of mange. I immediately let the breeder know. Not for any other reason except to let her know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra777 Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Has the vet ruled out a sprung toe? (minor toe fracture) Unfortunately it can be very difficult to confirm a diagnosis in many cases especially in a puppy as the crack often won't show up on xray. Combined with the flat feet and the long toenails and the fact the puppy is very young anything to do with feet could be hard to diagnose. Only time cures a toe fracture and it's not uncommon in active dogs with loose sloppy feet. I would have gone for the second opinion & the phone call to the breeder long before allowing any vet to put such a young puppy in a splint. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fyscha Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 OK, so I've contacted the breeder, and yes, I feel like an idiot for not doing it sooner. She has said that she hasn't come across it before but to increase vit C just as a matter of course. She has requested an email with more detail and said she will ask other staffy breeders that she knows to see if they have any information on the matter. I've pretty much left behind the idea that she knew of this before hand. Originally when I asked the vet if we should contact her it was intended as a courtesy to let her know what had happened and he sort of flipped it a bit and, well.... when something is wrong with someone you love you like to be able to have someone to blame. Anyway, we are off to the vet again now so hopefully he has come up with more information. He was going to make some calls. Someone has also suggested seeing Gary Barnsley, in outer Sydney. I've read nothing but good reports since discovering his name so will discuss it with hubby when he gets home. Thanks everyone for your input, it's good to be able to get some outside opinions and some perspective on things. I don't feel so bleak about it now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 OK, so I've contacted the breeder, and yes, I feel like an idiot for not doing it sooner. She has said that she hasn't come across it before but to increase vit C just as a matter of course. She has requested an email with more detail and said she will ask other staffy breeders that she knows to see if they have any information on the matter. I've pretty much left behind the idea that she knew of this before hand. Originally when I asked the vet if we should contact her it was intended as a courtesy to let her know what had happened and he sort of flipped it a bit and, well.... when something is wrong with someone you love you like to be able to have someone to blame. Anyway, we are off to the vet again now so hopefully he has come up with more information. He was going to make some calls. Someone has also suggested seeing Gary Barnsley, in outer Sydney. I've read nothing but good reports since discovering his name so will discuss it with hubby when he gets home. Thanks everyone for your input, it's good to be able to get some outside opinions and some perspective on things. I don't feel so bleak about it now... I'm glad your breeder is being supportive. Best wishes for a successful resolution to this issue for your pup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fyscha Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 (edited) Just home from the vet. He has been in contact with a number of his colleagues who are all of the same opinion. That being that there is nothing more that can be done. He believes it is a problem that has been there since birth and if it was picked up on earlier it could possibly have been rectified but as we didn't notice a problem until the limp began it is now too late. He is also supportive of us going to get another opinion if we want, which we do. That said I have an appointment to see Gary Barnsley in about 10 days, so will maintain the restriction on exercise until then, the only change in diet at the moment will be an increase in vit c, and yes, I've begun a nail trimming campaign and will be trimming tidgy bits every few days until they are back to normal. I know I've said it before but thanks to everyone for their input. Fingers crossed Gary will have a better diagnosis than what we have now. Edited April 9, 2009 by Fyscha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 eh vets are too negative I fixed flat feet before - good quality diet (nothing from the supermarket) in a giant breed formula and chiropractic/massage My dog also got to the point at about 12 months where more then a few minutes walking and he was puffing, in pain and not able to go any further. He also had a hideous limp in his front leg which the vet offered to cut open for $1800 and reconstruct his shoulder turns out he had a sore lower back and him throwing the weight on his front legs made him limp ... and being 40+ kg didnt help much either so we went from this (mmmm look at those pancakes) at 7 1/2 months this is at about 19 months of age - fit as a fiddle and walking fine. He now gets chiropractic as required it ALWAYS pays to get a second opinion and dont take no for an answer until you exhaust all avenues. Dogs are tough, and sometimes what one person will write off another can fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDaz Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 You really need to see a specialist, not just a second opinion. One of my Staffy's had a limp which was treated with anti-inflammatory’s for a while, when the Vet finally sent us to see the specialist he diagnosed OCD in the elbow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fyscha Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 Yeah, we are booked in to see Gary Barnsley, from what I can gather he is a pretty good choice for our second opinion. I believe he is a chiropractor as well. So will wait and see what he says and recommends. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Just home from the vet. He has been in contact with a number of his colleagues who are all of the same opinion. That being that there is nothing more that can be done. Pardon my cynicism but IMO no vet that's worth their salt is going to say any such thing unless they've seen the dog in person. Don't give up hope just yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fyscha Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 Yeah, I agree totally. I know they are only going off what the original vet has told them, so are basically unable to form their own opinion on the matter. So while I am trying not to get ahead of myself I am more positive on the matter. Next week is a big one, setting up for sister's wedding on Thursday, wedding Friday, clean up Saturday & drive home. 12 hour day at work on Sunday, 3 1/2 hour drive to vet on Monday, start night shift on Tuesday. It will all be worth it though if our puppy can run around a play like she wants to! I've read nothing but good reports on this vet, so am more than happy to drive the extra mile to go to someone who, from what I can gather, knows his stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dory the Doted One Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 I'm a bit hung up on the whole long nail thing...yeah they are long, I have seen longer. Not sure why others are having a knicker twist over them. Obviously there are a number of factors as to why the nails are that long. I've seen MUCH longer nails on dogs that have not had problems walking. Sadly, Dory's are looking a little talon like at the moment. Aside from the issue of the flat feet, if you are like me and a total Wuss at cutting nails, especially nice dark ones. I recommend filing them. Dory is a total Moll when it comes to playing with her feet or going near them with clippers (yes, she knows how to play me well). But strangely she WILL let me file them. So I usually kick back watching Trash TV with Dory draped across my knee (her favourite position) and we have a nail filing session every now and again. Especially useful if you suspect the quick is little too close to the end of the nail. Hope you get some resolution. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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