Puppy stands on his hocks - Page 6

Steve1

Thanks for the advice. I was looking at buying a product called bone Builder from the pet shop last weekend, but put it back on the shelf because I thought he is already on Arden Grange Large Puppy kibble and that should have everything he needs. I did buy some cod liver oil though; I'll get some salmon oil for him if that's better. I am also putting seaweed powder and pigment plus on his food; this is primarily to rid him of his 'winter nose'.

Before I purchase Acana, which will not be for at least another month as I still have a 15kg unopened bad AG, I would like to know if it is a lot better than AG. I am asking because someone suggested that I feed him Orijen and I bought a trial bag. He ate if fine, but then I read some reviews and although they were all pretty good, there was one that talked about the high level of vitamins that could leads to an overload and cause problems in the long run. I hope the same is not the case with a food such as Acana?

Cheers

Sangar

Hi, Sangar.
I haven't read through the whole thread,  but recently had to look into this for a puppy I sold.  I went to visit the dog and was horrified to see he was standing so low on his hocks.  I immediately called my personal vet and inquired about this.  He told me that it was cause by a nutritional deficiency.  He mentioned a common dog food available at many grocery stores and told me to put the puppy on a very good food with vitamin supplements and I would not see a great deal of correction for many months.  He assured me that IT WOULD repair itself, but that it WOULD take a LONG time.  6-8 months of proper diet and exercise.  for picky dogs that may be a problem, but for dogs with good food drive, it should be easy enough to fix with good food, vitamins, and time.  Good Luck!
Oh, to finish the story, when I called the owner back and asked what kind of dog food the puppy was on, my vets suspicion was correct!  I am convinced that showdogs and cheap dogfood don't mix :-(   

W

Hi Wlpool,

I have had him in Ardren Grange from the day I bought him. Breeder recommended that I switch to Arden Grange Adult Lamb and Rice once he finished he first bag that she sold to me. I did not do that and have kept him on the Large Dog Puppy one and will do so until he is 12 months. Therefore, I do not think it's down to cheap food.

Cheers

Sangar

Sangar
There is no comparison AG against Acana, The Quality of Acana is Poles out in front
Made by the same Company as Orijen of which i have used extensively to bring up Pups from 8 weeks old.
The Acana is a little cheaper for me However if you are worried without any cause i may add regards the Protein in Orijen, then Acana is 30 to 33 Protein i cannot remember which but one of those Two.
Now if i may be a little blunt with you, What is the price of a Bag of Kibble when you are bothered about your Pup which i expect cost a fair few Bags of Kibble. Now i am not a wealthy man or a wasteful one but if i had any concern of a could be problem with my Pup, and forgoing a bag of kibble was all i had to lose then it does not need thinking about
However again saying that you can feed 50-50 Acana and AG until your bag runs out. Or you can just add Acana to the AG for a week to just let the Pup get used to the little change of Kibble
Regards the Hokamix forgoing that is a thing you need to think about it is not cheap 750 grams for around £55 sterling, but as i said it is worth its weight in Gold
I have never ever owned a Puppy reared by me that has not had TOP JOINTS classified by the Sint Hubert Belgium of the SV. I know some problems is hereditary, but some is based on what you feed the Puppy, how much you feed the Puppy. and how you work the Puppy i give equal marks to Hokamix ensuring healthy strong joints, However saying all this it is mean't to help you, at the end of the Day the choice is Yours.
Steve1

Steve1

You have made some great points and they are all valid! I was not concerned about the price as I am well aware that a good diet will pay dividends in the future with regards to vet bills. Therefore, I will go ahead and purchase a couple of bags of Acana. I think they're around £45 per bag. With regards to supplements, I don't mind paying as long as they work.

Are you referring to Hokamix Joint powder? I am asking because I am going to purchase this from Zooplus, but want to ensure that I buy the right product. There are a few powders under the Hokamix range.

Yes, I did pay quite a bit for this pup because of the bloodlines. My last GSD was completely different to this one. I think he came from English working lines and I did not have any issues of this kind with him.

Thanks

Sangar

Sangar
Regards the Hokamix Joint, I have looked on the UK site for you. Go to Joints and Structure under the supplements, Scroll down to Hokamik Joint + Powder. There you will see the Pot and it will say on the Pot HOKAMIX GELENK, It is the RED top that you want price in sterling £46.90 700 grams in weight, Use it at about  5 g for the first week then increase it to 7g that should be enough for your Pup Once a day,
A Squirt of Salmon Oil on his morning Kibble along with a Vitamin E capsule, then put the Hokamix Joint on the food it will stick to the Oil just shake it a litte and thats it, Only give him the Salmon Oil and Hokamix once a day, i do it on the morning feed excarly as i say it here,
The only thing else my dogs get a copule of times a week is Greens or Brocallii tablespoon each Dog. Thats it nothing fancy
Steve1

Steve1

I have taken delivery of the Hokamix Joint+ powder. The only problem is that the instructions are in German, a language I don't speak. Reading back, I see that you recommended he start on 5g and then proceed to 7g per day in about a week. My question is, is that a heaped or level spoon with the spoon that has been provided?

Thanks

Sangar

Hi Abby Normal

I did send Steve1 a PM and he replied very quickly. I must say, he has been very helpful with his advice and hopefully, I should see some positive results in the coming weeks and months. My pup's hocks are getting stonger day by day; this is in line with what people said would happen. The left hock is nearly normal now, the right one is looser... that will hopefully strengthen up in time.

There is a puppy show here in the UK on 15 May which I am hoping to attend. There should be quite a few of his half siblings there of different ages, we will get to see how they are getting along. I know that his litter sister will be shown there too.

I'll keep you guys posted as to how I get along.

Thanks

Sangar

PS for those that might be following this thread, here's Steve1's reply to my PM regarding hokamix quantity...

Start with three quarters of the spoon, then a level spoon after thats is enough, once a day on his kibble morning feed put a small squirt of Salmon oil first shke it then add the powder shake again if you can buy some Vitamin E capsules one added as well but the salmon oil and Hokamix is the most important for his joints do not be afraid of walking him and let him chase the ball they are not brittle dogs it is to much jumping at an early age which can mess them up
One other thing keep him lean so you can just feel his ribs he will be better for it, You have done all you can to help your Lad and his Joints, so good luck and i hope to here a good result in time
Regards
Steve