wotan Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 (edited) Noticed the other day our 18 week old SBT has developed "clicky" or popping bones on his hind legs. I have been watching closely and I am pretty sure its coming from the joints below the knee area . Its most noticeable when he gets up from lying down or sitting. Its a bit of a worry when your pup sounds like an old man getting out of bed Physically he is fine/fit, very active and shows no signs of discomfort. As for diet, since we picked him up at 8 weeks he has both raw and is on Artemis dry which he likes and looks good on. He also gets sardines, yoghurt, egg and some veg etc So I am pretty sure his dietary requirements are being satisfied, but am unsure why the clicking/popping is starting now? Edited January 6, 2010 by wotan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 What does his breeder say?That would be my first call- It does sound a bit worrying ....Hope he's ok! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverHaze Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Are you only hearing them, or are you seeing the joints pop? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 It's not uncommon for joints to make a noise due to gas or the movement of ligaments and tendons. It would be worrying if it's not an isolated incident and I would certainly be letting the breeder know and have the dog examined. If one of mine were doing it, it's have my vet and my chiro check the pup over. Your diet sounds good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Yep, its air. I'm with SBT - visit to a good canine chiropractor might be an idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wotan Posted January 7, 2010 Author Share Posted January 7, 2010 Unfortunately in my case contacting the breeder is NOT an option. The breeder is young and inexperienced and bare in mind this is a breeder that sends puppies home with instructions to feed weetbix/milk and mince beef, oh and Eukanuba "because all the other breeders do"! If that wasn't dissapointing enough, when I mentioned that I would swing him over to a much more nutritional dry like Artemis and raw chicken/lamb/roo etc, the breeder said "oh don't do that, the pup will get used to eating expensive food and it will cost you to much!" WTF!!!???? Yep folks alarmingly this type of breeder still exists (and to top it off the pup also came with mains papers without any question ) And before anyone asks the obvious question why I bothered buying from this bonehead breeder, I had no choice once the wife picked him out....and life is already complicated enough without having an unhappy wife Thanks for the replies and some answers to those are: - Yes I am only hearing the popping, there are no visual signs of any joints popping, no inflammation or discomfort. I am also able to manually extend his legs/joints freely and I can't hear any popping at all, so almost certainly its happening under full load. - It is not an isolated incident, it will happen most times he gets up to walk/or stretch which is why its got us so worried. Before this week there was absolutely no sign of any popping at all. I wll get it checked asap with my vet and the chiro sounds like a good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 oh shame about that breeder. I hope you can get the little fella's joints quietened down soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 What's his weight like Wotan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverHaze Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Quite possibly all your hearing then is the ligaments moving over the joints. Take him to a good chiro for a check up just to be sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 One of my dogs was making a 'clicking' sound in his hind leg- stifle region. He was never lame or showed any weakness. I took him to the chiro who couldnt find anything majorly out but did some light work through his hips and the clicking stopped.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TYLER23 Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 He's not overweight is he? Could be putting extra pressure on the joints if he is. Another thumbs up for Artemis, we switched our 5 month old Stafford over to it about 3 weeks ago, and his dull coat is now shiny, the rough bit of hair on his tail has gone, and he's leaned out a little and looking great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wotan Posted January 7, 2010 Author Share Posted January 7, 2010 (edited) What's his weight like Wotan? He is approx 12.0kg's. Now I'm not sure how that compares with other other SBT's at 19 weeks. I only go by his physical appearance and feed him according to his growth spurts. He gets 3 meals daily: Breaky - Artemis dry approx 80grams (plus every other day add either extra yoghurt or sardines or veg) Lunch - Dry again approx 80 grams Dinner - Raw. Its either chicken wings/neck/carcass or lamb ribs etc. Normally he will get approx 150-200 grams raw. I wouldn't think he was overweight as I see it (his ribs are felt easily) and he looks good. He is booked in to see the Vet tomorrow morning. I don't know of any local chiro's so i will ask the Vet. Edited January 7, 2010 by wotan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aziah Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 (edited) I'm sure people here will be able to recommend a suitable chiro in VIC ETA: regardless of your thoughts on the breeder, I'd still be advising them of your issues (perhaps via email), even if you gain nothing from them, you've let them know. Edited January 7, 2010 by Aziah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TYLER23 Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 He is approx 12.0kg's. Now I'm not sure how that compares with other other SBT's at 19 weeks. Ours is currently 14kg at 5 months old Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quickasyoucan Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 My crossbreed rescue dog (bit of stafford, bit of working dog) has had poppy/clicky back legs since I got him 6 years ago. Up until last year he showed no signs of lameness just the popping on stretching and getting up intermittently but he has now some mild problems. An x-ray last year showed mild HD in one hip, but I think the clicking is the stifle area. We are now seeing an orthopaedic specialist next week as my generalist vet thinks cruciate. I did go to the chiro middle of last year and he thought the cruciates were stable and couldn't hear the clicking at that time on exam. Anyway in my long-winded way I am echoing get it checked out now as you don't want to have issues later on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I've had a dog with severe Hip & Elbow Displ. but never heard any clicking. I'd tell the Breeder even of you don't think they'll care. Then I'd see the Vet and the Muscle Manipulator/Bowen/Chiro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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