Puppy With An Arched Back

[EmiLeigh]

We have a 9 week old dogue de bordeaux puppy who seems to have a bit of a upwards curve in her spine. It is only slight, and is a curve like that of a bridge. I was wondering if this was normal? or if it means that she has back problems? Is it fixable? We didn't notice it when we first got her at 8 weeks.

I have noticed she gets a bit hesitant when climbing down the step at the back of our house and is prehaps walking with a big more swin in her hips. - could the stairs be the cause? or rough play with our older dog (though she tends to be very gentle). or being picked up?

ill try to get a pic up, maybe it is just me being paranoid.

Thanks for any advice

[persephone]

What does her breeder say? have you sent them a photo?

[EmiLeigh]

What does her breeder say? have you sent them a photo?

Haven't asked yet. Thought I would get some advice on here first, just incase I am worrying about nothing. I have been trying to take photos, but she doesn't want to stand still. It could be something she will grow out of? This is our first puppy so we are unsure.

[persephone]

All the more reason to contact her breeder They are the ones who know what their pups should look like.... and what may happen down the track.

There are Dogue folks on DOL, so I guess they will share experiences too for you.

[TeamSnag]

I wouldnt think it was normal at all.. To me sounds like a roached back?

[AmandaJ]

EmyLeigh - call the breeder first.....if you are still not happy take the pup to Chris Gerling.......

I'll even send you a referal tag which will get you a 10% discount.....

Edited to correct the name - sorry

Edited December 7, 2010 by AmandaJ

[nobul]

Contact the breeder first and send them pictures if you can. Bordeaux puppies go through all sorts of changes as they mature.

Are you feeding her a good diet?

I would also stop the rough play and limit the amount of climbing she does, this breed needs to slowly mature , which means limited and gentle excersise and a good healthy diet

Roached backs are a problem in the breed but you need an expert to have a look

And by all means get her checked by a vet who KNOWS this breed, i am not sure where in SA you are but definatley go see Dr Girling at Noahs Crossing Veterinary Clinic Two Wells 85 242 260, trust me when i say many many vets have no idea on any dog let alone this rare breed.

Have you got her health insurance? if not i highly recommend you do any treatment for a dog this size is very expensive

Cheers

Julie

[Flealea]

It is unusual for a puppy of that age to be showing signs of a roached back. Sometimes they can go roachy if you are trying to stack them for photos etc, they go all stiff, straightening their legs and arching their back. But if the puppy is standing relaxed or wandering around on it's own, the topline should be relatively straight. They can go roached if the puppy has issues with it's rear construction or hips and has the appearance of "walking under himself" which is "it's back legs walking too far under its body". They can also go roached if they are out in the spine, hips or a pinched sciatic nerve, and a dog chiropractor can help with that, but not sure about a 9 week old puppy.

Regards

Leanne

[EmiLeigh]

Thanks everyone.

I contacted the breeder and sent a few photos and they seemed to think it was nothing to worry about and that she will grow out of it. It really isn't too bad. I just wasn't sure what roached back was compared to just a bit of a curve. Two Wells is a bit of a hike...we are near glenelg. I guess we can only keep an eye on it and see if she does straighten up as she matures or if there is a problem. I must sound paranoid ...maybe i am haha. I tried to upload pictures but it doesn't seem to want to let me. Thanks for your advice

[sas]

I've seen lot's of Dane puppies with roached backs and they never outgrew them, if anything they got worse over time, that is if it were a conformation fault.

Dogs roach their backs when they're in pain as well so mybe something to look into.

Perhaps speak to your Vet and Chiro and see what their thoughts are.

There are also the Breed specific forums on DOL that you could speak to other people within your breed.

[Red Fox]

Try Matthew Condon: http://www.chiropet.com.au/

[Dogsfevr]

Glenelg to two wells isn't that far away for a vet who knows the breed .

Her back could be out & need a chiro/bowen visit .

[poodlefan]

Glenelg to two wells isn't that far away for a vet who knows the breed .

Her back could be out & need a chiro/bowen visit .

x 2

I'd be having it checked out NOW and if a vet was familiar with the breed I'd go as far as necessary to see them. Its not like you have to leave the city to do it either.

Have the pup checked out. You need a hands on opinion and it may be something that's easily resolved now as opposed to being left and becoming more serious.

I'd not be allowing this pup to become involved in any rough play with your older dog and I'd certainly be deadly keen to avoid having her jump down stairs. Its begging for trouble in a baby puppy of a giant breed.

[nobul]

Trust me when i say that a vet that knows this breed is worth travelling from anywhere lol. From Glenelg it would take about 45 mins well worth the trip, i know people who send their dogs to him from all over Australia !! oh and if you are worried they do not care where the dog was bred ,or who bred it, they just care for the breed

The problem i have with a few vets is they have no knowledge of many breeds and that can lead to mis diagnosis , incorrect treatment etc etc. As a breeder i am well aware of what some of my puppy buyers get told by some of these "vets"

I would be getting it checked , left unattended may lead to problems later on, even if it is just to put your mind at ease.

Dr Condon is also brilliant vet i used to have my Bull Terriers under his care until i moved , now he is just doing the Ciro Pet thing another one i would highly recommend

Cheers

Edited to say

I will be showing both days at SACA park Kilburn this weekend if you wish to come and have a chat , although your puppy is still to young to be there if she is under 3 months and you are a SACA member so she wont be able to go along I will have my DDB girl and My Miniature bull terriers there

Edited December 7, 2010 by nobul

[SkySoaringMagpie]

Agree with the others that the right vet for the breed from the start will save a world of expense, stress and time in the long run. Well worth an hour or two's drive.

I take mine to a vet an hour from my home for any sporting issues - he was once a greyhound track vet. He knows the difference between a very fit sighthound heart and a heart problem for example. Many vets do not as my wallet and I found out the hard way.

We also saved a lot of money and pain for a companion dog who a local vet wanted to do invasive bone surgery on as a puppy. The specialist in Sydney said to leave it, and that was the right decision. Cost us 6 hours travel time and his fee, but when compared to paying through the nose for an unnecessary operation and crating a puppy for weeks during important socialisation periods I'll take the 6 hours travel any time!

[AmandaJ]

The 2 vets in Adelaide we trust are Chris Gerling - Noah's Crossing Vet Clinc - Lewiston, and John Katakasi - Adelaide Plains Vet Surgery - Two Wells. John is a greyhound specialist but does still see other breeds. Most of the breeders/exhibitors I know see one of those and some of them come from Murray Bridge to see them!

For a Chiropractor I'd recommend Andrew (Andrija) Mladenovic in Kilkenny. He deals with a lot of dogs but mostly Greyhounds. He also does a great job on my back. The massage before the manipulation is great. My dogs have been know to fall asleep during the massage....

[Bilbo Baggins]

Follow the suggestions posted in here. Pups can put out various parts of their bodies in play.

[Andisa]

I would be taking the pup to one of the greyhound muscle men posted above, puppies can be hard on themselves while playing. Mine get manipulated as young as 8 weeks and every 2-4 weeks if necessary. My pug baby was a little roached when she came here and a quick trip to the muscle man has made all the difference. Just rough puppy play is enough to put their little bodies out.

Good luck with your puppy - where are the pics

[Robbi]

Glenelg to Two Wells isn't even an hours drive, especially if you book the appointment for the middle of the day. Often an ounce of prevention or pre-emptive treatment is much easier on the pocket and ultimitely the heart rather than waiting and seeing what develops