The Bowed legs can be a serious problem in puppies and adult dogs. Bowed legs in dogs are an abnormality that is noticed when a leg grows curved or bowed instead of appearing straight as it normally should. This type of abnormality is most likely to be seen in young, growing due to problems in their development, but can also be seen as an aftermath to traumatic injuries sometimes even in older dogs.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.In simple terms, bowing out is a leg deformity that causes the legs to appear curved or bowed out rather than straight.It is mostly a puppy problem but adult dogs can also suffer from it.
A puppy is meant to grow gradually to give her bones and cartilage enough time to develop.When the process is hurried, the fast-growing body may exert too much pressure on the limbs causing leg deformities. This is especially true for heavy breeds.Essentially, the cartilage and protein of the bone are framed at the growth plate. This happens to be a very soft area that can succumb to pressure easily.As the young dog puts on weight in her body, it may exceed the limit of the growth plate resulting in curved or brandy legs.
While most young dogs suffer from bowed legs, some carry the condition into adulthood.If yours shows any signs of having leg deformities, don’t panic. There are several treatment options you can consider.Changing the dog’s diet can take care of the problem once and for all.Other treatment options include putting braces on the dog, doing massage therapy, and removing a certain part of the plate or bone.In very rare circumstances, the limb may need complete removal.However, surgery is the best route for straightening the legs and giving the dog a new lease of life. It has a high success rate compared to other treatment options.
Most issues start within five to 12 weeks of age as this is when babies are going through their fast growth stage. Often the breeder reports that the legs look okay in the morning, but by the end of the day, they can see bowing on the front legs. The pressure of romping and jumping all day causes the long bone to bow. With early detection, you can correct this issue with the right vitamin/mineral supplement.
Unless you are very keen, some of the symptoms will pass you by.The minute you notice that something is off with the dog, err on the side of caution. Call the vet and have him do checks on the dog.If the deformity is caught early enough, it can be treated permanently.
Recovery of Front Leg Deformity in Dogs
The prognosis for a dog with front leg deformity can be good; however, there can be some obstacles to face during a surgical recovery period:
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.
Many dogs, as they recover from surgery, have a lack of appetite. This should be of no concern for a day or two. If your pet still has no interest in food, try softening it and warming it up to increase palatability.
Constipation is often a post-surgery complication; you can expect limited bowel movements for a few days simply due to the fact that your dog did not consume much food before and after the operation. Some medication for pain and inflammation may cause constipation as well. If you are concerned, contact the veterinarian for advice.
Vomiting can occur for a period of time after the surgery. As dogs recover from the anesthesia, they can experience nausea. Allow your pet plenty of rest and quiet time to recover from the stress and fatigue of a surgical intervention. As always, let the veterinarian know how your pet is doing, and do not hesitate to contact the clinic with any questions or concerns.
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.