Knock kneed 12 week old

[finimac64]

Hi. Yesterday the vet told me that our 12 week old male pup is slightly "knock kneed", that it is either genetics and/or diet and nothing can be done about it except major surgery in extreme cases. He said that our pup's knees may stay the same or get worse over the next few months as he grows. (I will be seeing another vet soon to get a second opinion.) His parents looked fine, they and all on his pedigree are "Champions". We got him as a companion from a registered breeeder who willingly pointed out faults she had identified in her puppies and she certainly said nothing about his or his sibling's knees.
I have compared photos of him with online pup photos and I think he does look a bit knock kneed. His legs look the same now as in photos taken when we got him at 9 weeks. I didn't notice his knees then but I am no expert by any means, all puppies look roughly the same to me.
We want him to have a healthy, pain free life, therefore:
What are the prospects for a pup like him with regard to mobility, pain, joint problems, arthritis later on etc? At present his exercise is playing, what impact will more strenuous exercise have on his knees when he's older?
The vet suggested occasional meaty bones and the rest solely a premium dry puppy food for giant breeds - Hills/ Eukanuba/ Canine(?) and one other (I'm in Australia) but I have read vastly differing opinions on Hills Science Diet and on puppy foods in general. At present he's on Supercoat Puppy and chicken mince and vegetables and 1 x Cenovis human Vitamin C tablet a day. My big worry is that incorrect diet will exacerbate any problems.
He'll be desexed at 6 months.
Any suggestions will be gratefully received. Thankyou.

[Sharon Marples]

Do you have a front view photo of him you can post?

[finimac64]

I don't think I have photo posting privileges yet.

[AngelBunny]

By "knock kneed," do you mean your puppy is cow hocked??

[finimac64]

His front legs are what we are concerned about, the vet made no comment on his back legs.

[finimac64]

The vet was only concerned with his front legs.

[finimac64]

I don't know what I'm doing wrong with my replies, my apologies if this is reply 3 for the same question.
The vet was only concerned with his front legs.

[rottcrazed]

If it is an extreme case of weak pasterns causing him to look very 'easty-westy', I know that can certainly affect his movement, and may cause him pain, however, I have not personally ever known anyone who has had surgery done on their dog to correct it, it is just a fault that your pup has and if he was not purchased as a show dog, should not matter all that much.

If your vet feels that it is severe enough that you need to look at changing his diet to see if it helps, I know there are a lot of people on this site who had some good advice to another member a few months back in regards to better food choices for weak pasterns. I am guessing if you searched the site for weak pasterns you may find a few of those threads.

If it is a simple structural fault, well, just love him for who he is. I have found that most faults in my own dogs I eventually see as their own 'special' characteristics. My old girl has one ear in the rose position and always had. I used to fix it for pictures, now I just love it because it is her.

Kristi

[AngelBunny]

Your vet told you your puppy is "knock kneed" in the front?? I think rottcrazed is more on target and that your dog is east-west due to weak pasterns. Pasterns aren't knees.

[finimac64]

Thankyou, I am now looking at info on weak pasterns. His breeder will be seeing him on the weekend and her vet who will see him if we want.
He's a sweet pup and a member of the family and we love him.

[alexav]

Originally Posted by finimac64

The vet was only concerned with his front legs.

I am concerned with your vet! The "knees" are located in the rear legs.

[finimac64]

Am i learning alot from this forum! We're off to another vet post haste.

[CuteCookie]

I don't know about the problem you speak of but as a word of encouragement I do have a German Shep that I was told should be put down when she was 6 months old because of hip problems. The vet said it was so bad she was not worth getting fixed because she would be unable to move by the time she was 1 to 2 years old. I would need extensive surgery to "maybe" fix the problem for a few more years.
Well I got her fixed anyway thinking I don't want her running around in heat and the possibility of her getting pregnant, putting more stress on her hips. I can tell you now that she is 14 years old and healthy, the usual arthritis with old age but still walking with out surgery. I was told by another vet that puppies bones are still growing and what might be there one day can be gone the next. Don't give up hope for your little one:)