Diagnosis of Front Leg Deformity in Dogs
With front leg deformity, the diagnosis method is similar in many cases. The veterinarian will need to take radiographs in order to diagnose the extent of the deformity, to see the extent of the hyperextension, or to assess the damage to ligaments. Checking for broken bones will also be part of the x-ray process.
Your dog may need to be sedated or put under general anesthesia for the radiographs. If additional imaging is necessary, as is sometimes the case when more detail or better clarity is required, a CT scan or MRI may be performed.
In the situation of elbow dysplasia, a technique called an arthroscopy is used to diagnose joint problems. Done under general anesthesia, this procedure allows the veterinary surgeon to view the inside of the joint. With this technique, correction of the problem is sometimes possible while in the exploratory stage.
Blood tests may be performed to check for nutritional deficiencies.
The problem with bowed legs is that your baby is growing faster than your diet is allowing.
You may find that there is a need for an Elizabethan collar to prevent your dog from licking the surgical site. The veterinarian will be able to provide this for you if required.
With front leg deformity, the diagnosis method is similar in many cases. The veterinarian will need to take radiographs in order to diagnose the extent of the deformity, to see the extent of the hyperextension, or to assess the damage to ligaments. Checking for broken bones will also be part of the x-ray process.
Your dog may need to be sedated or put under general anesthesia for the radiographs. If additional imaging is necessary, as is sometimes the case when more detail or better clarity is required, a CT scan or MRI may be performed.
If the diet is short on any of these needed vitamins, minor minerals, calcium or phosphorus, the puppy is slow to calcify while the frame is still being built; soft bones are the result.
Genetics
Although rare, genetics can be a cause for bowed legs among dogs.
If your pooch’s parents had bow legs, you might want to watch her closely.
These genes can be passed down from generation to generation.
Limping Dog on a Rear Leg: Things to Consider
Canine leg deformities come in their shapes and sizes. One of the most common ones is bow legs—a condition that is common among French bulldogs, Corgis, and Dachshunds.
If you’ve ever laid hands on a dog with this condition, you will agree that it compromises the beauty of the pup a lot. Most importantly, it can cause problems for him down the line.
In this guide, we will discuss a few facts every owner should know about bowed legs in dogs.