Double Jointed Hocks

[Miss Squish]

Hi Guys!

Our latest gorgeous rescue boy, Rambo the Wolfie x Great Dane has double jointed hocks!

It doesnt appear to affect him at all, but it looks awful to watch him walk, but when he trots or runs its not obvious at all & he seems in no discomfit at all.

Has anyone else had experience with this? Are there any greater risks with pain or arthritis? as it doesnt seem to affect him at all!

His foster carer has fallen in love with him,but would love some further info on this issue before he commits to adopting him!

Thanks for any feedback...

The 2nd photo shows how his hocks are affected

[Jumabaar]

You will probably have more luck looking for 'slipped hocks' rather than double jointed??

I haven't heard of a dog that had a problem with it- but they have all been mild.

Edited July 8, 2012 by Jumabaar

[Rebanne]

I would think this has the potential to impact quite badly on the dog down the track. Particularly in such a large dog.

[jrm88]

I would advise getting an appointment with a specialist.. Rebanne is right, this could have a huge impact on his life later down the track (or possibly even now) in terms of pain/arthritis/etc.

[sas]

Yep, seen it in a few Rescue Danes that have come up where their conformation is poor with their rear legs being so straight without angulation - whether this is the cause I'm not sure - just an observation.

Looks like tha chap in your picture is very straight in the rear as well.

I'm not sure what can actually be done about it as the dogs I've seen with it haven't been under my care so isn't something I've had to deal with before but would like to hear how you get on.

[sas]

Found this: http://www.gsdhelp.info/ortho/orthop.html

A DIFFERENT CONDITION

There is another, less serious, condition in the hock that poses no special problem in regard to veterinary bills and very little interference with leading a fairly normal life. It is commonly known as “slipped hocks”, but more accurately described as luxation (when completely out of alignment or position) or as subluxation (looseness, but retaining some positional relation, which is far more commonly found). Three of the illustrations accompanying this article are tracings from my own radiographs — two normal and one showing subluxation in the flexed position — and the other one is from the classic veterinary text by Miller, Christensen, and Evans. The condition shown in Figure 4 can evidence itself in a “double-jointed” or “super-extended” position. In the vernacular, “bending the joint backwards.” I have seen “slipped hocks” in Shar Peis, Chows, and a few Afghans, and feel sure that it exists in many others

Edited July 10, 2012 by sas

[Jumabaar]

Found this: http://www.gsdhelp.info/ortho/orthop.html

A DIFFERENT CONDITION

There is another, less serious, condition in the hock that poses no special problem in regard to veterinary bills and very little interference with leading a fairly normal life. It is commonly known as “slipped hocks”, but more accurately described as luxation (when completely out of alignment or position) or as subluxation (looseness, but retaining some positional relation, which is far more commonly found). Three of the illustrations accompanying this article are tracings from my own radiographs — two normal and one showing subluxation in the flexed position — and the other one is from the classic veterinary text by Miller, Christensen, and Evans. The condition shown in Figure 4 can evidence itself in a “double-jointed” or “super-extended” position. In the vernacular, “bending the joint backwards.” I have seen “slipped hocks” in Shar Peis, Chows, and a few Afghans, and feel sure that it exists in many others

Slipped hocks are very common in spitz breeds (according to the doggie chiro the dogs see).

The only way to determine what is actually going on and if it would have an effect would be to take X-rays and see if there are any signs of DJD.