#1: Are floating ribs in dogs bad?
Seeing a bump on our dogs can be alarming at first.
But to reassure you, floating ribs aren’t bad for your pooch.
In fact, all dogs have them too. And even humans can have the same thing.
Floating ribs are only more noticeable in certain breeds.
And these dogs are the ones with longer bodies and have short coats, such as:
Floating ribs are easier to spot in these 11 breeds compared to others.
And now, if you look at the bone structure of dogs…
You’ll see that they have 13 ribs. The last pair aren’t attached to their sternum.
It’s the bone right in the middle of the chest. And it acts as the pillar that supports the rest of the rib cage.
Thus, with their natural body structure…
It can ensure that their heart and other organs in the chest are well protected.
As for the floating rib, it’s attached to the backbone instead of the sternum.
Thus, it seems to react along with your pooch’s spine. That’s why the bump looks like a moving tumor whenever your dog moves.
But in reality, it’s not an alarming sign of cancer, or of anything else. Rather, it’s a normal part of their anatomy.
And with this information, most vets declare that floating ribs in dogs aren’t bad at all.
How Do You Differentiate Between a Floating Rib And a Broken Rib?
It is perhaps one of the most asked questions when it comes to protruding ribs. It is hard to tell because of the similarities with a tumor or a broken bone. But while there is hardly any sign of discomfort with a floating rib, broken ribs can cause severe pain and restrict the dog’s mobility. That is a good sign to know the difference.
If you see your dog struggling to move, you should immediately take it to the vet and start running tests. Typically, broken ribs are a result of accidents or dog fights. It is also worth noting that the broken bone can damage the lungs and cause other severe problems if left untreated.
While floating ribs are nothing serious, it is worth mentioning that knowing some of the causes are crucial to understanding them better. Floating ribs make it look like your dog has an uneven rib cage, and some people find it odd because it changes the way the dog looks. But is there a possibility that it can be something else? It is always good to have everything covered because it prepares you better. There are other causes of the floating rib cage or abnormal rib bones you should be aware of.
Chest bone deformity is a severe condition that you should be aware of. Typically, if treated when the dog is small, the condition does not aggravate. However, if you ignore it, it affects the dog’s overall health and even restricts space for the heart to function properly.
The uneven rib cage can result from;
And for more severe cases, the only option is to fix it surgically.
#3: Can floating ribs cause problems?
In most cases, floating ribs don’t cause problems in dogs.
Thus, vets would normally tell fur parents to ignore them. But it’s fair to still worry about the safety of your pooch.
So, is there a chance that floating ribs can lead to some health risks?
Yes, in rare cases they can cause pain in dogs.
According to research, a case of floating ribs leads to severe pain. This is caused by their abnormal movements.
This issue happens if the bones aren’t properly aligned.
Plus, it can lead to a condition known as “slipping rib syndrome.”
A study states that once floating ribs reach this stage, it’ll cause chest pain for dogs.
Body Condition Score For Dogs: Step 1, Ribs
Some dogs, often Dachshunds, have extra ribs sticking out that feel like tumors under the skin or have weird cartilage at the ends of their ribs that make them “flare” out funny.