Luxating Patella In Rhodesian Ridgeback?

[OzDallyGirl]

Hi Guys,

I'm hoping someone may have experienced similar and may be offer advice/hope!

I have a 17 week Rhodesian puppy. I've had her since she was 10 weeks old. When I got her from the breeder she was emancipated. She couldn't even sit on her bum because it hurt as the bones were jutting out and she couldn't lay on her back for the same reason. She had trouble sleeping, use to be really restless and cry/whine constantly in her sleep.

I intended to put her in the show ring as 12 week old 'baby puppy' but she was waaay too thin, no way would I have presented her to a judge!

I've slowly built her up and she now has a nice little tush and a bit of padding around her bones. She's still very lean, but healthy. She's had a huge growth spurt. Because she was smaller than she should have been at 10 weeks (her feet and joints were tiny tiny)since she's now having foods she's seemed to grow overnight. She now has massive 'plates of meat' for feet and her joints are looking how they should for her age and size. She was 6.1kgs when she came and now she's 21kgs. All going well except....

Every now and then she'll be playing and either a) bump into something (as they do) or b) twist slightly and she'll suddenly start screaming the place down and hold up her leg. I give her leg and hips a good massage and a few minutes later she's fine. It's like her hip dislocates or she gets a massive cramp or something. I never feel anything click back in when I massage/rub. The vet had a look last week and she thinks she may have a luxating patella, even though she couldn't move it herself. But we'll just have to wait and see how she grows up. Vet didn't suggest any treatment or further explorations...

Do you think that maybe it's simply a matter of the ligaments/tendons not being strong enough due to her stunted start and quick growth? If so, is there anything I can give her to help her and maybe prevent a problem?

She's full of energy, verging on hyperactive at times! Apart from this occasional problem she's a healthy girl. I was hoping to flyball/agility train her when she's older, but what will be, will be....

There's also another problem, but I'll start another thread about that one, don't want to confuse things

Any advice/similar stories would be appreciated!

[Danois]

She put on 15kg in 7 weeks??

[poodlefan]

When I got her from the breeder she was emancipated.

I think you mean "emaciated". I find it startling she was sold to you as a show prospect in that condition.

If you are concerned she has structural issues, take her to a knowledgeable (orthopedic) vet. Some issues diagnosed in a growing pup may be resolved with treatment.

No one can tell you what's going on with any certainty without seeing and feeling the pup. One informed opinion will be worth any amount of speculation here.

I find it difficult to believe that she's gone from iny to massive feet in 7 weeks. I'd be worried about her having flat feet if that's the case.

What are you feeding her?

Some pics might be helpful.

Edited May 11, 2011 by poodlefan

[persephone]

photos of your girl would be very helpful .. ones with her standing .

I would suggest a specialist vet .

Oh - and I would be VERY concerned at getting an emaciated pup from a breeder!! That should just not happen

Edited May 11, 2011 by persephone

[OzDallyGirl]

Oh - and I would be VERY concerned at getting an emaciated pup from a breeder!! That should just not happen

Tell me about it. I bought her interstate from photos. I knew she was lean, too lean IMHO, but not the skeleton that arrived!

I'll get some standing up photos tomorrow.

[OzDallyGirl]

She put on 15kg in 7 weeks??

Yep, I couldn't believe it either....

[OzDallyGirl]

I find it difficult to believe that she's gone from iny to massive feet in 7 weeks. I'd be worried about her having flat feet if that's the case.

What are you feeding her?

Some pics might be helpful.

She doubled her size in 2 weeks and has just kept growing from there. She hasn't got flat feet, she looks just how she should now for her age. She's just had to play a massive game of catch up.

She's just getting wholesome foods: rice, vegetables, meat, chicken, fish & lots of bones. She also gets EVO dog biscuits in the morning. Our whole family is gluten free, so she is too.

[poodlefan]

She's just getting wholesome foods: rice, vegetables, meat, chicken, fish & lots of bones. She also gets EVO dog biscuits in the morning. Our whole family is gluten free, so she is too.

Be VERY careful to balance the calcium/phosphorus ratio in her diet. Get it wrong and you can create serious growth issues. I'd not be feeding any meat off the bone.

Her rapid size/weight gain may be behind the issues you're now seeing.

Photos would be useful.

Edited May 11, 2011 by poodlefan

[Unleashed Muscles]

Hi Guys,

I'm hoping someone may have experienced similar and may be offer advice/hope!

I have a 17 week Rhodesian puppy. I've had her since she was 10 weeks old. When I got her from the breeder she was emancipated. She couldn't even sit on her bum because it hurt as the bones were jutting out and she couldn't lay on her back for the same reason. She had trouble sleeping, use to be really restless and cry/whine constantly in her sleep.

I intended to put her in the show ring as 12 week old 'baby puppy' but she was waaay too thin, no way would I have presented her to a judge!

I've slowly built her up and she now has a nice little tush and a bit of padding around her bones. She's still very lean, but healthy. She's had a huge growth spurt. Because she was smaller than she should have been at 10 weeks (her feet and joints were tiny tiny)since she's now having foods she's seemed to grow overnight. She now has massive 'plates of meat' for feet and her joints are looking how they should for her age and size. She was 6.1kgs when she came and now she's 21kgs. All going well except....

Every now and then she'll be playing and either a) bump into something (as they do) or b) twist slightly and she'll suddenly start screaming the place down and hold up her leg. I give her leg and hips a good massage and a few minutes later she's fine. It's like her hip dislocates or she gets a massive cramp or something. I never feel anything click back in when I massage/rub. The vet had a look last week and she thinks she may have a luxating patella, even though she couldn't move it herself. But we'll just have to wait and see how she grows up. Vet didn't suggest any treatment or further explorations...

Do you think that maybe it's simply a matter of the ligaments/tendons not being strong enough due to her stunted start and quick growth? If so, is there anything I can give her to help her and maybe prevent a problem?

She's full of energy, verging on hyperactive at times! Apart from this occasional problem she's a healthy girl. I was hoping to flyball/agility train her when she's older, but what will be, will be....

There's also another problem, but I'll start another thread about that one, don't want to confuse things

Any advice/similar stories would be appreciated!

[Unleashed Muscles]

Hi,

If puppies grow too fast, they are getting too much carbs from biscuits. Large dog, large bonestructure. No chasing after ball in the park(twist and turn for the ball too risky to get hurt)Throw into water only. Fresh meat, vegies, fruit and ONLY 20% biscuits!

For possible luxating patella: Ligaments and tendons are too weak, as they don't hold the knee in place as they should. Find a "Bowen Therapist" in your area. Bowen will strengthen posture,joints and ligaments etc. I do this for Pets in Perth with great success!!

Good luck!!

Hi Guys,

I'm hoping someone may have experienced similar and may be offer advice/hope!

I have a 17 week Rhodesian puppy. I've had her since she was 10 weeks old. When I got her from the breeder she was emancipated. She couldn't even sit on her bum because it hurt as the bones were jutting out and she couldn't lay on her back for the same reason. She had trouble sleeping, use to be really restless and cry/whine constantly in her sleep.

I intended to put her in the show ring as 12 week old 'baby puppy' but she was waaay too thin, no way would I have presented her to a judge!

I've slowly built her up and she now has a nice little tush and a bit of padding around her bones. She's still very lean, but healthy. She's had a huge growth spurt. Because she was smaller than she should have been at 10 weeks (her feet and joints were tiny tiny)since she's now having foods she's seemed to grow overnight. She now has massive 'plates of meat' for feet and her joints are looking how they should for her age and size. She was 6.1kgs when she came and now she's 21kgs. All going well except....

Every now and then she'll be playing and either a) bump into something (as they do) or b) twist slightly and she'll suddenly start screaming the place down and hold up her leg. I give her leg and hips a good massage and a few minutes later she's fine. It's like her hip dislocates or she gets a massive cramp or something. I never feel anything click back in when I massage/rub. The vet had a look last week and she thinks she may have a luxating patella, even though she couldn't move it herself. But we'll just have to wait and see how she grows up. Vet didn't suggest any treatment or further explorations...

Do you think that maybe it's simply a matter of the ligaments/tendons not being strong enough due to her stunted start and quick growth? If so, is there anything I can give her to help her and maybe prevent a problem?

She's full of energy, verging on hyperactive at times! Apart from this occasional problem she's a healthy girl. I was hoping to flyball/agility train her when she's older, but what will be, will be....

There's also another problem, but I'll start another thread about that one, don't want to confuse things

Any advice/similar stories would be appreciated!

[Danois]

Fresh meat, vegies, fruit and ONLY 20% biscuits!

I'd disagree - I'd feed a large breed specific food to ensure the protein: fat and calcium: phosphorous ratios were where they need to be for a growing large breed pup. A BARF diet can come into it once they have finished critical growth as it is very difficult to get the right ratios in a homemade diet.

You only ge one chance to grow the puppy slowly and steadily and what you do now sets the puppy up for life.

[Lowenhart]

Dogs experiencing huge growth spurts will have loose patellas and other abnormalities.

I had a 12 week Afghan diagnosed with Luxating Patella and a serious bone problem by a young eager vet. The orthopedic vet on staff took 10 seconds to diagnose it as nothing but a sprained toe. Everything else was absolutely normal for her age.

If you think there is something serious going on, see a orthopedic vet. If you are in Brisbane, see if you can get a referral to QVS at West Chermside. You may get lucky and see Dr Richard Eaton-Wells, he's an expert at growing sighthound bodies.

In the mean time I'd be attempting to slow the growth down. So much growth in such a small time frame is not ideal.

[Erny]

When I brought my purebred mains registered RR home at 8 weeks of age he was a whole 3.5kgs!!

To the OP - although your main aim is instinctively to put some weight on your pup, and yes, this carries with it some importance, you definitely need to put the breaks on a little, as hard as that might be.

My skeletal puppy (could fit through the bars of my steel picket fence without touching the sides) began showing signs of carpel laxity 3 days after having him home with me.

Between the Vet and myself, I closely monitored his weight gain trying as best as possible to keep it to 1kg per week. It was very tempting to give more (he was always ravenous) and I felt judged by people when they saw how skinny he was. Not a good look for a trainer, I can tell you! But you feed too much you only encourage bigger/faster growth spurts. When the growth spurts begin to ease off you can then focus a little more on weight gain, although this should occur naturally as the food will be converted by the body to fat. ETA: His considerably severe carpel laxity deformation straightened itself out, thank goodness.

Can't help you with the luxating petalla issue. I would probably focus more on controlling growth (it's kind of about wanting your pup to grow but simultaneously wanting to hold back growth whilst the tendons/ligaments have time to stretch in sinc with the bone growth rate - and I can only guess that this is your pup's problem .... ie bone grew too long and ligament is still too short)and help nature take care of trying to fix the issue.

Edited May 12, 2011 by Erny