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Rhustie
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Location: Yorkshire, UK
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03-07-2011, 10:05 AM

Pup with stiff hind legs

Hi, wondering if a trip to the vets is necessary...
Had our 6 month old Akita x Mastiff out for a very long walk yesterday, and he seemed fine afterwards. Had him out again later on in the evening and he had slowed down somewhat towards the end of our trundle.
Having got him home, he collapsed and had a good hours sleep before being fed. He ate fine, and went for a good lay down again.
Before bed, he was let out for his last wee's and poo's etc, then normally he would come into the house and go to bed...
I had shouted him and left the door open expecting him to come in as he usually does, but he didn't, he just stayed in his kennel. I went to coerce him out, but he seemed quite stubborn, so i propped him up on his front legs assuming he was just being a tired obnoxious little man, and figured that by getting the ball rolling he'd soon do the rest on his own, he didn't. I put my arms in towards his back end and propped him up there too, he let out a little cry.
He went inside after a couple more seconds, but his back legs moved outwards and round to come forward as oppose to bending at the joints to come forward, seeming very very stiff!
This AM i had intended to call the vets to book an appointment for tomorrow, but only the emergency vet is available and she cannot book future appointments.
He seems to be much less stiff this AM, and i have run his legs through their normal motion (hand under paw bringing up towards the side of the belly) without any difficulty, crys, or unusual stiffness.

Is it possible that he simply has/had stiff legs from the running around he did yesterday? It was quite a long walk and he did get himself a little excited at points!
I'm considering seeing how he progresses over the next day or two, and if the stiffness persists, taking him to the vets asap.
I'm dreading such things as hip dysplasia and early onset arthritis!

Thanks
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Fluffypup
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03-07-2011, 10:25 AM
I think I would get him down to the vets even if he does seem a bit improved, just for a checkover. I would be very careful however about taking him for long walks at this age though. You have a large breed dog and their joints and bones take a long time to develop properly. Any long walks at this age could result in long term damage so better to keep to short walks until he's fully grown. I was advised with my dogs not to really stretch them until they were 2 years old. My vet seemed to think this advice was overly cautious but I stuck to it anyway because, like you, I was so worried about mobility problems, not easy to manage successfully with a very large dog! I'm sure he'll be fine, just take it easy on the exercise is my advice and do pop in to the vets as well.
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Rhustie
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03-07-2011, 10:33 AM
Originally Posted by Fluffypup View Post
I think I would get him down to the vets even if he does seem a bit improved, just for a checkover. I would be very careful however about taking him for long walks at this age though. You have a large breed dog and their joints and bones take a long time to develop properly. Any long walks at this age could result in long term damage so better to keep to short walks until he's fully grown. I was advised with my dogs not to really stretch them until they were 2 years old. My vet seemed to think this advice was overly cautious but I stuck to it anyway because, like you, I was so worried about mobility problems, not easy to manage successfully with a very large dog! I'm sure he'll be fine, just take it easy on the exercise is my advice and do pop in to the vets as well.
Hi, and thanks for the advice. I think i had come to this conclusion also and am somewhat red-faced over taking him on such a long walk being the breed he is. Toning the walks down to an easy accomplishment from here on in until he's around 2 years old will be the change we make!
I will be taking him to the vets to ensure no damage has been done or was already in place.
Given that you personally have first hand experience, may i ask you what is deemed (for large breeds) to be a 'long' or 'excessive' distance?
The usual walk is around 2 miles, gentle strolling and a good 50%+ is on lead. He has a quick blast around lasting 5 minutes with our Stafford, and is then tired out. Yesterday's walk however was easily 4-5 miles and he was truly exhausted for the last mile.

Thanks
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Zuluandnaomi
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03-07-2011, 10:38 AM
The advice on exercising pups generally is 5 mins per month of their life....So 4 months old = 20 minutes for example....Obviously that has some flexibility as walking on soft ground is not as hard on the joints, but pups under a year old dont need specific exercise becaues their lives are busy enough being puppies they get plenty of stimulation!

I would certainly say a couple of miles is a bit too much for a pup of that age and 4-5 miles is really an awful lot and it is risking long term damage :S Especially on a large breed.
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Rhustie
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03-07-2011, 10:43 AM
Thanks for the advice. Our walk paths are being re-designed as we speak...
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Velvetboxers
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03-07-2011, 10:54 AM
Definitely a vet visit. You need this checked out

Larger breeds are puppies for a long time & need gentle exercise.skeletal structures are easily damaged during the growing phase. When 12 months plus you can increase the exercise but even then i wouldnt go overboard until your pup is older

Hope he is ok
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Rhustie
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03-07-2011, 11:05 AM
Vet visit is a certainty. Will be calling them in the morning.
Hoping that the walk hasn't caused any damage otherwise i'd never forgive myself! It's a park with a huge lake to walk around, walking the entire park doesn't feel like a mammoth task, but obviously is!
I'm hoping for the best news possible on this one that it is simply a case of being overworked and the subsequent downtime that follows whilst his muscles get the rest they need.
This is his first (now known to be excessive) long walk so fingers crossed...
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Fluffypup
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03-07-2011, 11:34 AM
I agree with the other posts, a couple of miles is too long for your pup. I was also warned that walks on lead can be the most damaging due to the repetitive motion of the dog's movement, far better is a shorter walk off lead, maybe for half an hour at the most. This way your pup will stop naturally when he's had enough and it will be easier for you to tell the signs. I know it's hard to be patient waiting for them to grow up when you're longing to go for some great walks but it will pay dividends later on when he's fully grown with healthy bones and joints and ca stay out all day with you. Best of luck at the vets, you're doing the right thing.
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Lynn
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03-07-2011, 12:02 PM
Having owend a large breed myself I agree with the others this walk was to long.

He is probably realising this himself and has forced his own rest. I have just read an interesting paragraph in a book about the Bernese the breed I owned and she says she never lead walks them far till they are a year old she takes them for short off lead plays in the park and monitors the playtime carefully too. In a park they can lay and rest as much as they want but you still have to be in charge and administer the 5 minute rule.

You can still take them out and about for socialisation which is very important but you must take plenty of stops for the puppy or young dog to rest.

I am sure he will be fine.
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majuka
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03-07-2011, 12:05 PM
As others have said, and you have taken on board, it is too far for your pup to be walking. Whilst I am sure he is huge by now he is still just a baby.

Originally Posted by Rhustie View Post
It's a park with a huge lake to walk around, walking the entire park doesn't feel like a mammoth task, but obviously is!
It sounds like a nice place, take your pup there, walk a little, find a nice shady spot and sit and watch the world go by with him, he will find that just as fascinating

My own dog, also a large one, was two when we got him and I really worried about how much he might have been over exercised while he was still growing. It is a big concern, especially with large breeds.

I hope the vets visit goes well. Do you have any pictures of your boy you can show us? I bet he is gorgeous
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