Our Little unwell Rotti pup

[deniskap]

Our 9 1/2 week old Pup Jedda weighs 6.0kg. She she is in the sit position, she has developed a little bit of the shakes in her front legs. They also look a little bowed inwards at times when standing. She is on a raw food diet, so I guess she is eating well. I took her to the vet and was told that some pups are like that, and many grow out of it after 4 weeks. She is really worrying us. She seems to be in no pain whatsoever, and looks happy, always running around and doing what all little pups do. does anyone know a little more about it and offer any advice. would really appreciate it

[Sharon Marples]

Originally Posted by deniskap

Our 9 1/2 week old Pup Jedda weighs 6.0kg. She she is in the sit position, she has developed a little bit of the shakes in her front legs. They also look a little bowed inwards at times when standing. She is on a raw food diet, so I guess she is eating well. I took her to the vet and was told that some pups are like that, and many grow out of it after 4 weeks. She is really worrying us. She seems to be in no pain whatsoever, and looks happy, always running around and doing what all little pups do. does anyone know a little more about it and offer any advice. would really appreciate it

It's kind of hard to know what you are talking about. Can you post a pic of her? The shaking could just be from an inbalance as she is sitting there.

You have her on a raw diet and GUESS that she is eating well? Who gave you the diet and do you know for sure that it contains all the proper nutrients that a growing puppy needs? The right amount of protein, fat, calcium, etc.?

[brunie's mom]

Get her off of the raw food diet...it could be imbalanced and causing problems with her growth. I would suggest you get her on a super premium food and keep her on it till most of her major growth is done. Then, if you are sure about a raw diet and know that it is well balanced then feed it. So much can go wrong with such a young pup if you are feeding an inbalanced diet.

What does your breeder have to say about her legs? Have you been in touch with them?

Gina

[BostonRott]

If a raw diet is not being done properly, you can REALLY screw up a dog for life. It's not a matter of just throwing some chicken backs and a few veggies in a bowl. It is a lot of work to correctly feed a raw diet, including all the needed supplements. I agree with Gina, I'd get her off the raw food and onto something is known to be well formulated.

[moondog]

I am in total agreement with taking this puppy off a raw diet that you "guess" is good, and feeding a high quality commercial food that has been formulated to provide all the nutrients a growing puppy needs.

I have a LOT of experience with the benefits of home-prepared meals (AND the amount of work and study is involved in making sure it provides complete nutrition) after having done it for my adult Rottweiler for 4 years ....HOWEVER...puppy nutrition is a whole other education with a critical set of guidelines of its own. My puppy is on a high quality commercially prepared diet formulated to provide complete nutrition because I am not willing to take chances with her health and development by attempting a home-prepared diet while she is still growing and possibly screwing up in ways that are not intended.

Enough can go wrong during growth without adding a poorly formulated diet to the mix. The only way to know if a diet is nutritionally complete is to do your homework in puppy nutritional requirements and nutrient content of the foods you are feeding and comparing the two - if that isn't done, you are putting your puppy at risk. There are many very good foods out there that will ensure your puppy receives the nutrition she needs to develop properly.

[deniskap]

Thankyou so much guys for your time. I am a new member and it is great to recieve your input. As the diet is concerned, it is called the BARF diet, designed by a vet who I actually buy the raw patties off. This should contain everything the puppy requires to grow up the way it should. I feed her twice a day with this food. I am hoping it is not some sort of disease, or something that cannot be corrected.

[brunie's mom]

It still could be lacking in a balance of vitamins and minerals...and causing these problems. Puppies require different balances, because of the huge growth in such a short time.

A 9 week old puppy should be eating at least 3 times per day...usually till about 5 months of age.

I am not sure of the good quality foods you can buy in Australia? Would you be able to get Eagle Pack Holistic? I think we have a few members from Australia that feed it...it's a good quality food. What about Innova or Canidae??

It is not normal for a pup's legs to bow out...if their diet is correct.

Gina

[BostonRott]

So the diet was designed (and the patties made by) Dr. Billinghurst?

[Anne]

I also feed the Billinghurst BARF diet but I don't buy the prepared patties, I make up the food myself in accordance with the BARF recipe recommended by Billinghurst. My dog was weaned onto the BARF diet and that is what the breeder recommended I feed.

My dogs eat two meals a day and for the morning meal I feed Eagle Pack Holistic. By feeding this way I feel more confident that my dogs are not missing out on vital nutrients.

[deniskap]

Cheers Guys for your help. Took Jedda to the vet this morning ( a new Vet) and she also suggested that it could be a case of an imbalance in her diet. The vet has recommended that we take her off the BARF diet and feed her a high grade dry food formulated for a large breed puppy. The vet says that the shaking should subside within a week. Here in Australia we have dry foods such as Eukanuba, Science Diet to name a few. Chose the Eukanuba to begin with and hopefully we will see some results soon. If there are any suggestions on the brand of dry food sold here in oz, please let us know. The vet recommends that when Jedda completes her growing that it will then be ok to put her on the BARF diet. Thanks so much guys and girls for your input, and I will keep everyone posted over the next two weeks.

[Anne]

I would not feed Eukanuba or Science Diet but prefer for Eagle Pack by far. It is a much better quality food. I am in Victoria too and have Eagle Pack delivered to my door..no delivery cost, just the price of the food.

[deniskap]

Cheers Anne. I shall look into where I can purchase the Eagle Pack. Could I get it from a Pet store or a specialist? And would that be the only source of food I should be feeding her while she is growing. Couple of chicken necks or so with it would be ok?

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by deniskap

Cheers Anne. I shall look into where I can purchase the Eagle Pack. Could I get it from a Pet store or a specialist? And would that be the only source of food I should be feeding her while she is growing. Couple of chicken necks or so with it would be ok?

Sorry...can't help you to where you can purchase the Eagle Pack...but adding a chicken neck or a raw beef bone to chew on is fine. You can also add an egg or some natural yogurt, or canned sardines,etc...as long as you cut back on the amount of kibble.

Gina

[lbraxton]

Densikap,

My rottie, now 4 months old, did the same thing and still does it from time to time. The vet told me it was nothing to be worried about and said she'd grow out of it. It's gotten a lot better and she barely does this. Both of vets said the same thing - it's her putting all her weight on one leg or one side. She's actually gotten a lot better and I'm not worried about it at all. I haven't been a rottweiler owner for long but I have experienced the same problem. I hope this helps.

[Anne]

Originally Posted by deniskap

Cheers Anne. I shall look into where I can purchase the Eagle Pack. Could I get it from a Pet store or a specialist? And would that be the only source of food I should be feeding her while she is growing. Couple of chicken necks or so with it would be ok?

I feed BARF for the evening meal and Eagle Pack for the morning meal. I would definitely feed chicken necks/wings but I don't feed them with the the Eagle Pack meal.

If you do a search for the Eagle Pack web site you will find distributors in Victoria. I don't think it's allowed for me to post the website here. When you are able to use the private message facility, pm me and I will give you the telephone number of the company that does free delivery to your home.