Deformed Dog Feet -- help??? - Page 1

My parents' neighbors have a chihuahua who has the most deformed feet.

They asked me if I've ever seen anything like it, I have not. Nor has the vet. I'm hoping
someone here might have some hope or suggestions for Bella the Chi and her people.

Backstory: Bella came from a breeder. She was purchased with a health guarentee and
full breeding rights. When e arrived it was quite evident her feet weren't right. She wan't
walking much, and moving appeared to hurt her. Her owner called the breeder, who
said take the dog to the vet.

The vet said he's never seen anything like it. It's like her feet are flat. Her nails grow straight
up. He gave her booties to wear to keep her from tearing up the undersides of her toes,
but she always chews them off. Bella can barely walk, and the undersides of her feet are
all fur-bare and calloused.

The breeder says it's something Bella's folks did, so she won't cover it under her health
guarentee (which also includes free from genetic defects).

The vet says it's not an act of abuse but a defect.

I'm wondering, has anyone else seen anything like this? All four of her poor little feet have
the exact same problem.



(Yes, Bella's toenails are long, but it's the results, rather than the cause of whatever this is.)

That second-to-last pic shows how the undersides of her feet are all worn down. You can see the toe pads up near the top of her foot. The bald areas are where the arch should be.

Looks like she has flat feet/ loose ligaments. This could have been caused by poor quality food while it was growing. German Shepherds ( ie American line) can get a similar look to them where there whole ankle is almost touching the ground because of loose ligaments. Does this dog also suffer from patella luxation?
The Vet might try to snip the ligaments behind the foot, stich them, and cast the foot up so that the damaged ligaments have a chance to heal.

Little dogs should never be alowed to jump up on or down from furnature, which can damage ligaments- especialy knees and even backs ( ie dachshunds). If this dog while it was growing had poor nutrition, coupled with the genetic weakness of having loose ligaments and also was jumping up and down from the couch -I would think would cause this.

I know that horse foals can get this laxisity , so I looked it up.. http://www.petplace.com/horses/tendon-laxity-in-the-newborn-foal/page1.aspx
It says that its actualy a muscular issue, even though the ligaments are affected.. maybe the dog needs more excercise and nutrition.  
   When GSDs have this issue we tell people to use Vita C, feed better dog food, and let them free play. ( we tell them one other thing altho I cannot find any support for this item at this time so I won't mention it)

Looks to me like the dog has 2 extra pads @ the toes.

BabyEagle,

That's what I thought too when I first saw her, but after prodding at her feet for several minutes, all it is is fur-bare skin that has been calloused where the arch of the toes would normally prevent them from touching.

 

Kimmelot,

I'll ask them. I don't know for sure all of Bella's history or past actions. From everything they tell me, it sounds like she's had mobility issues since day1. The kicker is, all four of her feet are affected. As you can see in the last picture, even her rear toes are curled up like gecko-feet.

Certainly no expert here, but I would never presume that this is anything but a congenital deformity.  Since all four feet are affected, I doubt this could be the result of hopping up and down from furniture, as that, in itself, presupposes an underlying, preexisting condition.  How old is the dog?

Do they ever trim her nails?

She's a young adult. Full grown, but I think not too old.

I feel really bad for the dog, it looks painful.  My focus would be on comfort for the dog, first and foremost.  I'd go to a specialist for a definitive diagnosis.  Some Universities offer low cost care for the experience with unusual conditions.  OSU comes to mind, but not sure where this dog is located.  Talk to local schools to find which offer Veterinary courses.

Secondly, I'd take this up with the breeder and wouldn't allow them to squeak out of the contract.  Was the dog seen before it was purchased or was she shipped?  I'd think this condition should have been noticable from the get-go.  About the only thing this poor littel girl has going for her is her size... could you imagine a large breed contending with this?

Dog needs nails trimmed badly!