Excessive Puppy pastern angle – any way to help? - Page 1

I've got a 4.5 month old working line puppy that has exaggerated pastern angle in both front limbs – at least that is what I guess you would call it. My trainer noticed it at 12 weeks and was concerned about the pups viablity as a sport dog if she didn't develop out of it. My vet picked it out pretty readily as well during her 16 week shots. I was advised by the vet that pasterns can go a little soft during teething but since this was first noticed at 12 weeks I'm guessing it is not related to tooth generation. Am I wrong? He also stated that an "old breeders trick" is to put river stone in the puppies kennel run so that they are constantly on an uneven surface. He stated he wasn't sure if this actually did anything or not, just that he'd heard it - either way it's not an option - she doesn't have a run, she has a crate. Her pasterns look normal when she is leaning forward or bending down from a standing position to pick something up. When she is leaning back (lowering front end such as during a play bow) they are flat on the floor and when standing up right (and moving) they are at about a 45 degree angle. When absorbing shock (like during a pounce onto a toy) they are pretty close to the floor. I've been advised to give the pup lots of gait changes in short, frequent bursts of exercise to tighten up the tendons. I've also been told that she "may grow out of it or not..." I'm just wondering how many pups that start out with additional pastern angle develop into correct adults and how to insure the best chance of this happening. She is getting one cup of Canidea "all life stage" formula 3 times daily and is perfect with regard to weight. Any advice would appreciated. I bought the dog as a sport prospect when she was 8 weeks after a lot of breeder research. (Had a deposit on her before whelping) I have no lack of confidence that the breeder would help find her a new home if she was conformationally not appropriate for sport - but the bonding process goes both ways and I'd hate to have to give her up, however there is isn't room for a pet. Hopefully there is something I can do now to ensure this isn't necessary. Also, any idea as to when I should be concerned that this isn't going to be something that is "grown" out of? I.e. by 6 months, etc? Thanks for any help, -Calvin

Calvin try to get her in a kennel or take her for more play time out of her crate. All I can think is to get her out and about moving at her own pace more often. Try to build those little muscles and tendons. Sounds like she is healthy and you feed her well, not much more you can do than give her time and enough excersize to develope strong bones, muscles and tendons.

Calvin, Can you post a photo or send one to me at: schwarzenberggsd@earthlink.net Depending on what I see, I may have some suggestions. My gut sense is that if her pasterns are weak, you should have noted that early on and it is NOT something she is likely to grow out of. It is a structural problem and just how much it might affect her activities later on would be conjecture at this point.

Hi Calvin I had a show line puppy with a very similar problem - I was advised that you have to strengthen everything up so everyday she was worked in soft sand. The first day she could only do about 30 metres but gradually got better and the improvement in her pasterns was very good. Give her a go you will be surprised by the results.

If you go to this link it is the 10th picture down. -Calvin

http://www.germanshepherds.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=770094&an=0&page=0#770094

The pasterns are truly weak. Pasterns this extreme are usually genetic, but not always. Excersie, as the others have suggested, is certainly a good idea; but you can also see in the other photos that her front legs are also bowed. They should come straight down from elbow to foot when viewed from teh front.Hers seem to bow outward. Rickets can do this, but with what you are feeding, I doubt that it is related to diet.

I should also note the pic was taken at around 12 weeks. Things seem to have gotten slightly better in the last month - but I also don't have an eye for this so will attempt to get an updated pic. Regarding bowed legs - this is bad why? (sorry if a dumb question...) What would you rate these as? -Calvin

I haven't looked at the picture, but I have seen puppies with weak feet/pasterns - and they can tighten up with exercise - not pounding/running but lots of walking/trotting. AND, most importantly - more protein. If you're not feeding her puppy food, feed her 100% puppy food. Increase her protein if you can. Keep her lean, don't let her carry any more weight than necessary. The leaner the better - but more protein will help her. Also if you can house her in a kennel with sawdust or some sort of deeper footing instead of concrete/hard footing, this will help her tendons get stronger. It won't hurt - if her pastern tendons are genetically weak, then it won't help much, but might. There's nothing you can do other than up her protein, keep her lean and make sure she gets plenty of exercise on soft footing. molly

Took her out and the legs are not bowed - it is an optical illusion in the pic. The are straight as an arrow. -Calvin