Does your pups legs give way?

[SillyTilly123]

My pup is 22 weeks but since we got her 5 weeks ago I noticed that her legs sometimes give way. For example, when going upstairs her back legs will buckle and she stumbles, but then jumps up and gets there on the 2nd go. Is this normal? Is she just still finding her feet or should i get her checked out?

Ps its not always the back legs, can be front too when she gets off the settee, or even just out walking and she is sniffing something then goes to run away, and its not constantly maybe 5 times a day.

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

I can't say it is something I have noticed in my pup. He was unsteady at times in the first couple of weeks but by 10 weeks or so that all stopped. I think I'd want to check it out to be honest.

[TeaOneSugar]

Not something I've noticed either, worth getting it checked.

[SpicyPear]

Not experienced his with pup. I would get it checked out.

[ChickensHaveNoEyebrows]

That doesn't sound uite right. Puppies are clumsy, but I didn't notice my dog's legs buckling. I agree with the others, get it looked at.

[SillyTilly123]

Im not sure if i am using the right phrase, what would you say buckling is? Its like she is in such a rush to get somewhere/do something she forgets which legs to put first. Will still see vet about it though just incase.

[ruledbyheart]

Depends my dogs sometimes slip and slide on my wooden floor when they are running for food etc but their legs dont give way.
What breed is she and did her parents have hip/elbows score done, my main concern would be hip dysplasia.

[tabulahrasa]

Is she big?

Larger breed puppies are massively unco-ordinated, at times they seem to have no idea where their limbs are - probably because they're not in the same place they were the day before, lol.

They shouldn't buckle or give way in the way I would take those phrases to mean though.

[SillyTilly123]

Shes a lab x springer and i didnt see her parents as she was for sale on Gumtree for a ridiculously low price* and as she was exactly what i was looking for i "saved" her from (potentially) becoming fighting dog feed.
Maybe wrong of me but i honestly couldn't ask for a better dog.

*owner couldn't handle her "puppyness" he did seem genuine, wanted to know where she would be living and said he'd had a higher offer from someone else but agreed for me to take her as i was local and the other one not so he might see her about (he lives just over from my dds school). I know that anyone could say that but i'm a pretty good judge of character and believed him.

[Jayne266]

I have found high energy big dogs seem to be all legs and no coordination. Might be worth getting a vet check though as hips are something to keep an eye on for those breeds.

[ChickensHaveNoEyebrows]

Buckling to me would mean that the pup's legs just randomly collapse, as though becoming disconnected or unable to bear her weight.

[needastrongone]

Hi, your puppy sounds lovely, well done for 'rescuing' her

I have a 16 week old Springer puppy but haven't noticed his legs buckling and he does a good amount of exercise (all off road though). He skitters sometimes on the tiles and wood in our house but his legs don't buckle. Although he is not upstairs or on the furniture so I haven't watched him do this action particularly so couldn't comment on this aspect! Are they allowed to do that very young? (stupid question alert! Just know our friend with a Vizsla didn't allow her upstairs etc until she was 6 months for joint reasons etc, being a Gundog)

Labs are known to be prone to joint issues so maybe worth getting the vet to check her out. Does she seem stiff when getting up? Will she let you examine her hips and roatate them, if that's the right word i.e not sore?

Also, were the parents pedigrees? Do you have any paperwork? Just a thought but if you did, you could maybe go on the KC website and trace the family history. Most pedigrees will be hip scored and would might be able to trace it back to see if there's any possibility that this might occur in the future? I know that's a bit of a long shot but might be worth checking?

I only mention that because we know the hip scores for our puppy's parents, which were way below breed average but i found the topic interesting tbh so looked into it a bit (sad, I know)

If the seller lives near you, could you check? Gumtree adverts for cheap puppies worry me to be honest, there's all sorts of scams going on with families being used as covers to sell farmed puppies etc. But, I didn't meet the guy in person as you say and I am a cynical old sod!!

Hope puppy ok!

[SillyTilly123]

Hi, I took her to the vet who couldn't feel anything wrong with them, and just put it down to puppy clumsiness. She said if I'm still worried they can give her an xray when she gets spayed, so I will see how she goes. And heres a little pic I just took on my tablet. We've just had a lovely run around in the park and she's flat out now.
i133.photobucket.com/albums/q53/pinkfairygirl25/20130227_140105_zpsede00c33.jpg

[multitask]

Can I just say that stairs really should be avoided with pups for quite a while it puts a great deal of stress on their joints. Your pup may not have had the best start in life with regards good feeding and supplements so the joints could be a little bit loose.

[SillyTilly123]

Well she was 16 wks when I got her and there is no way she won't follow me upstairs lol. She sleeps upstairs too and I can't be carrying her everytime. I think it was just my paranoia tbh, as I don't understand why someone would get ris of such a lovely pup

[CajaDeLaMemoria]

I'd be very concerned that this is a sign of joint damage. Did the vet see her do it?

I'd also block the stairs off. Carry her, or keep her downstairs. It's a pain in the ass, and my dogs hated it, but it's a small price to pay to keep her healthy. If her joints are fine, they are clearly weakened, and the stairs will worsen that.

Did the vet recommend any supplements?

[MoreBeta]

I very much agree with multitask that stairs are not something puppies should go on.

Also more worrying is that labrador and springer spaniels can be prone to hip dysplasia.

There is also a joint condition known coloquially as 'soft pastern' that involves the front leg. Both are congenital conditions and you must get a vet to check the dog over again and possibly x ray if it continues past 6 months old.

[SillyTilly123]

No vet didn't see her stumble (that's a better word than buckle) and no suppliments. She really couldn't feel any damage. Its been a while since I 1st posted this and although she still does it now and then, she does seem to be doing it less, so it probably is just clumsiness. What suppliments should she of mentioned?

[daisydotandgertie]

Make sure she is well insured with the best insurance money can buy.

It is possible it is poor co-ordination or puppyness, but it is also possible it is an early sign of serious hip problems. Especially as you have no clue where she came from nor how carefully she was bred.

In the meantime avoid impact exercise eg stairs, chasing balls etc like the plague and don't allow her to jump in and out of cars, off sofas, beds, stairs etc. I would also restrict general exercise for at least the next six months.

[needastrongone]

Is there any way that you can limit the stairs and furniture etc? Easier said than done I do appreciate this as we have a puppy too but as I say, ours doesn't do either. I also lift him in and out of the car, he's perfectly capable of jumping in himself but I don't let him.

I also try really hard to play 'low' games iykwim? Half of that is to discourage jumping up too and the vast vast majority of exercise is on soft grass and mud.

Wondering if you can give glucosamine to dogs?

Hope all is well anyway, good luck!!