6 Month Old--Weak Rear - Page 5

Yellowrose in a recent thread posted some very good info about calcium types/intake and negative effects of un-natural Ca forms on dog/puppy.
Here is the link:

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/forum.read?mnr=178733&pagen=3#179120

Ibrahim

"To clarify:  as in SYSTEMICALLY unwell, not just a musculoskeletal problem.  HM"

That was my thought too, besides the bizarre structure, he does not look like a happy, healthy 6 month old puppy.  Frankly, he looks miserable.  Does he have loose stools?

No loose stools, fantastic vitals, and the spine x-ray has come in fine. The only problem right now is that he seems constipated, however he exhibits no other symptoms (stool is not bloody, or mucusy). He has infinite access to water and I mix water with his food because I'm paranoid that he never has enough. His spine results were good, nothing seems to be wrong there (it's going to take about a week before I get the hip results back). Fecal exam is next (I have to do a fecal by the end of the month anyway for his next class). Bloodwork will not be done until he's been on the upped amount of food for at least two weeks (doing so before then would just be redundant and stupid). 

I'm not denying that something could be wrong, but I will say that outside of him being sleepy I don't see the "misery" you're talking about. 

Not enough food causes constipation; too much food causes diarrhea.

I think the problem is he wasnt getting enough to eat.  My four month old females eat 4 cups a day plus treats (raw meaty bones, canned food, ice cream etc) and look skinny.  The crate looks a bit small too, and do you have a blanket in there?  Hopefully with an increase in food (to 4 or 5 cups a day, I pretty much give my dogs free choice food as they are good about regulating their intake) his boy will straighten out.  He looks unhealthy in the photos.

He does look underdeveloped. Was he checked for EPI?

This is a showline male at 5 months:


and the same male at 6 months:

Yeah, he looks unhealthy and unbalanced (just not miserable, that guy smiles enough to make frowning around him impossible). 

He has a towel in there, I'm trying to find a nice soft crate liner that doesn't get shoved to the side but so far I've had no luck (suggestions would be nice for that). Everything I've done so far from crate mats etc at petco have ended up being bunched off to the side. 42" crate shipped yesterday and should arrive on Friday (fingers crossed!).

He wasn't tested for EPI, but he is definitely underweight. I don't think EPI would be responsible since I was the one drastically underfeeding him (still possible). He's up to 2.75 cups a day without counting what I use in training. Tomorrow it's going to be 3 cups, and he should be up to 4 within the week (assuming I don't get hit with soft poo and have to back track). I'm wary of upping it too fast because of what can happen. 

I watched him run today and he seemed quite off balanced. Sometimes he looked happy and carefree, but other times while running he looked like he was struggling and trying really hard. His topline doesn't stay even when he runs and it goes in between extreems. One thing I've noticed which now might be raelly important... he won't straighten his hind legs. They're in a constantly bent state, no matter what. Anyone have any input on that?

Obviously they're not supposed to be 100% straight, but... look here.




I was thinking about setting up a meeting with a veterinary chiro, a physical therapist, and possibly a consultation with a recommended neuro (from the vet that did my x-rays) and see what all three of them have to say. Not sure what would help me more at this point. 

Hi CMGSD
I am no expert but looking at these last photos - I would be seriously worried too.  He just doesn't look right, it's as if his back end doesn't fit with his front!  I hope he improves with better feeding and that he is healthy with no hip problems - however, if this is the way show line dogs are going the breeders need to think again. 

I really get offended when my breeder compliments the angulation in his back. I'm like "You can't see ANYTHING wrong with this? Seriously!?"

I mean, could it be a wonky growth stage? Yeah, but eh, his siblings have gotten past the wonkiness already. He's six months old as of tomorrow and it's time he starts looking like it. His hip-xray looks really good to me. I'm not an expert but I know what HD look like and his hips show no obvious signs. My bet right now is with PT because at least that works in developing muscles and proper posture. I know a few people who are *adamantly* recommending chiro to me which is why I'll do a first visit but I'd like to do PT regardless unless I had a serious reason to beileve chiro would help. He needs muscle back there.