[deniseg]

Hello.... I picked up a sweet, beautiful foster dobe today. He's about 1 year old and was an owner surrender (they said they'd picked him up off the street as a pup). I noticed he's pigeon-toed and his front legs seem to bow a little bit. He walks and runs fine, and is very happy. I called the rescue and we are going to look into it with a vet, but in the mean time, I have some questions. (I realize it could be his elbows, but he is totally asymptomatic). Could it be ricketts in a 1 year old? Would large breed puppy food be good to feed him, even though he's a year old? And finally, since it doesn't seem to bother him, could it just be his conformation? Thank you for your input!

 

[Sam1491]

Pictures would help

 

[deniseg]

This is the best I could get-- I'm the only one home & he kept trying to kiss me. Both feet actually pigeon-toe, but the angle doesn't show it. The R foot is a little more pronounced than the L in real-life.

 

[Sam1491]

Gotta love the kisses lol

The pictures are very helpful and hopefully someone more knowledgeable will chime in.
Right now I'd say it could just be his conformation whether bred that way or as a result of his unknown past/puppyhood. Or it could be one of the other options you listed as well as something else. Again hopefully someone with more experience will chime in on the particular problem in question.

As far as the food, I would suggest a good quality all life stages food instead, yes he is still growing but an all life stages food will provide the proper nutrition needed, as you probably already have assumed, no matter what the stage in life. I personally feed half raw half canidae PAWS/all life stages, it's a multi protein food that has given me wonderful results, and the higher calorie content equals less to feed per meal

Good luck with your foster boy, glad he has found his way to better circumstances!

 

[Rosemary]

At a year, he's probably got most of his growth, so a high quality adult food should be fine, I would say. As far as his legs, I think some x-rays would be in order. That said, I had an out-at-the-elbow, pigeon-tied Sheltie mix that had no problems in all of her 15 years, but she was a lot smaller than a Dobe.

 

[deniseg]

Thanks so much, guys! He is a really great boy- I hope for his sake it's nothing major that will cause him problems or pain.

 

[Axel's Mom]

It looks like the same thing my Axel is going through. It's called Carpal Flexural Deformity.

I would get X-rays just to make sure it wasn't a break that healed wrong, but I suspect it's the CFD. My puppy's physical therapist and vet have me stretching his legs to try to get them to straighten out.

You can look into DogLegg carpal supports, too. They require a vet's prescription. They will help hold the leg straight, but won't correct the pigeon-toes.

That's all I can think of that would help a fully grown dog. I wouldn't worry too much if it's not slowing him down and he's not favoring it after heavy exercise and playing.

You can check the thread where we've been dealing with this since he was just a few weeks old: http://www.dobermantalk.com/puppy-corner/61357-what-do-about-knuckling-over.html

 

[LindaH]

He looks to me like he has had problems with "knuckling over" that were never addressed or corrected with proper diet and exercise.

Here is an explanation: Knuckling Over and HOD - Developmental Orthopedic Disease | GREATDANELADY.COM

At this point, I think you will need to see an orthopedic veterinarian. Those growth plates are not supposed to close till around 18 months. Maybe some braces, but you will need to xray. I'm glad it is not worse.

 

[Axel's Mom]

He looks to me like he has had problems with "knuckling over" that were never addressed or corrected with proper diet and exercise.

Here is an explanation: Knuckling Over and HOD - Developmental Orthopedic Disease | GREATDANELADY.COM

At this point, I think you will need to see an orthopedic veterinarian. Those growth plates are not supposed to close till around 18 months. Maybe some braces, but you will need to xray. I'm glad it is not worse.

Knuckling over is technically called "Carpal Flexural Deformity". I agree with you on your suggestion to see the orthopedic vet. I didn't know the growth plates don't close until 18 months. That's encouraging me for Axel!

 

[RedFawnRising]

Poor fella, thanks for taking care of him.

I'll chime in on the recommendations to see an orthopedic specialist.

 

[deniseg]

After looking at the pages and sites you all have recommended, I really do think he's "knuckling over". Zig is a BIG boy-- probably almost 80lbs, and not quite a year old yet. And I doubt he got great care wherever he was before he came to rescue.... so he kind of fits the profile for this problem. I'm going to talk with the rescue tomorrow and tell her what I've found out & see if we can get to the vet in the next few days. Thanks again!!

 

[akturbo]

One of my Doberman has legs like that. Mainly how they bow a little. She was not always this way, and did not ever have any knuckling over issues. I asked my vet about it and he said at her age its probably just bad breeding; but if it starts affecting her to bring her in to have it checked out.

He is so young though I would have to agree with some of the above posts.
Good luck!