Paptacular! Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 My puppies are now almost 11 weeks old. When taking stacked photos today, I noticed that Tyson's front legs were looking very odd. I've researched and it looks like he's beginning to knuckle over. The puppies are all fed the same and run on the same surfaces (combo of tiles and vet bed). Take Mikey here, who's legs are straight. Compared to Tyson here. He's my pick puppy, so I'd really like to see him improve and fix this. At the moment they are having Optimum Puppy kibbles in the morning and in the evening either turkey mince or a chicken neck. What are the solutions to knuckling over? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Oh I hope it can be fixed- he is gorgeous!! Perhaps look at the calcium:phosphate ratio, and the protein level of the diet. I remember I had to reduce protein to get my girls feet to straighten up (were a little east west). I have never had any experience with knuckling over, but looking ratios is never going to hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wynnlake Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Its my understanding that the knuckles enlarge when the pups are getting too good a diet. The advice given to me was to put the pups on an adult diet. It worked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigirl Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 When my iggy pup was slightly starting to knuckle over I switch to Advance small breed adult food as it has a low protein content, fixed the problem very fast Pups now 5 months old with lovely straight legs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdoubleJ Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Its my understanding that the knuckles enlarge when the pups are getting too good a diet. The advice given to me was to put the pups on an adult diet. It worked. Ditto - I now bring my pups up on 1/2 adult and 1/2 puppy as I had one starting to knuckle over. Beautiful and straight now.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paptacular! Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 Thank you guys. They are almost out of their puppy biscuits anyway, so adult bikkies is now on the shopping list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 YOUR PUPPY SHOULD NOT BE KEPT ON SOLID CONCRETE, TILE OR WOODEN FLOORS WHERE THERE IS NO SURFACE TEXTURE FOR THEM TO GRIP WITH THEIR TOES, AND USE THEIR MUSCLES, LIGAMENTS AND TENDONS PROPERLY. REMEMBER THE FRONT END OF A DOG SUPPORTS THE BODY WEIGHT, THE REAR PROPELS THE MOTION, SO THE FRONT END MUST HAVE TRACTION. SLICK SURFACES ALONG WITH LACK OF EXERCISE AND NUTRITIONAL MONITORING, WILL CONTRIBUTE TO "BOWING IN" AND "KNUCKLING OVER" ON YOUR PUPPIE'S FRONT END ASSEMBLY. Whilst aimed at Great Danes very good site HERE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 The puppies are all fed the same and run on the same surfaces (combo of tiles and vet bed). Get them on some grass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdoubleJ Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 SLICK SURFACES ALONG WITH LACK OF EXERCISE AND NUTRITIONAL MONITORING, WILL CONTRIBUTE TO "BOWING IN" AND "KNUCKLING OVER" ON YOUR PUPPIE'S FRONT END ASSEMBLY. Our pups are raised on scoria stones, concrete and grass. They are 'self' exercised so we felt the main contributing factor with our boy would have been food. He is the only one we have had from 9 litters but to be on the safe side once they are about 8 weeks old we start to mix the adult and puppy food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyosha Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 I concur. Grass, and adult food. Are the knuckles spongy-ish (especially at the top o fthe joint) - ie if you press a finger in there does it leave a small dent that takes a second or two to fill? That can be a sign of calcium issues. If not, running on grass should correct it without diet changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paptacular! Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 They unfortunately have only been on grass for short periods at a time. The place I am renting at the moment is paved at the back and the front yard that is grassed is not fenced, meaning that others can and do occasionally walk their dogs over/through the area. Because of this I wasn't too keen to have them out there in their early days before their first vacc. I have bought their inside pen outside and supervised them for short runs around out there but I do concede that I will need to do this more often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyosha Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 That's tough isn't it. Buts you right between a rock and hard place - possible infection is a nasty worry. Are the pavers out the back rough surfaced though? Or smooth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paptacular! Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 Quite rough actually. Almost a sandy/granite feel to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benshiva Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 Can you purchase some artificial turf and put down for them? It may work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 Artificial turf is just like carpet. Real grass is better will encourage them to dig, curl their toes, and have spring when they jump. You could always grow your own grass for your next litter. Using one of those metal framed kids blue tarp $40 pools, add soil and seed and grow your own whilst the bitch is carrying the puppies. You can then add Bunnings crates to make it into a big play area, or even join a couple of them together to make a larger one. After you have used it, you could always toss the soil and grass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 Artificial turf is no different to vet bed if you ask me. Get them outside on real grass and let them romp around, nothing better then grass and fresh air. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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