Wobbly back legs

[mercedes]

I just got my 6 1/2 week old pup today. Her back legs seem a little wobbly. Is it because she is little yet or is it something else?

[Judi W]

No, a pup of that age should not have wobbly legs. It should be able to trot properly and move sturdily.

[mercedes]

So what do you think i should do?

[Brooke&Ryan]

Wow, why did the breeder let the puppy go at 6 1/2 weeks???

[Judi W]

I have no idea. Why did you take her home when she moves like this? Did the breeder select her for you or did you do this yourself? I don't know who you bought her from, what your contract says. I will assume the breeder is a bit careless or the pup would not have been sent away quite so young, nor if it did not appear sturdy and healthy. I would suggest that you perhaps take her to a responsible vet and ask him to check her out, but I would not be happy with a staggering pup at this age.

[mercedes]

I didnt see her moving like this at the breeders. I watched her for a good hour and didnt see anything until I got home

[moondog]

mercedes,

Do you have a vet? A newly acquired puppy should be taken to the vet for a check up, even if you think the puppy is fine. If you think your puppy may have a problem, even more reason to see a vet sooner rather than later. Many vet offices are open on Saturday so I'm sure you'll be able to find a vet to see her tomorrow. You should also be calling the breeder and discussing this with them.

[mercedes]

I just dont know what could be wrong with her. DOes anyone have any ideas?

[moondog]

I don't think we can tell you, either! Call your breeder and take her to a vet.

[Sharon Marples]

Your contract should have stated that you needed to get the pup to a vet within 48 hours of purchase for a vet exam. If anything shows up, the breeder should be willing to exchange the pup for another or refund your money in full.

You did sign a contract that had health guarantees, right?

The pup should not be staggering around. That in itself is enough for me to contact my vet IMMEDIATELY!

Please let us know what your vets says.

I'm like everyone else, why did your "breeder" release this pup so early??

Sharon Marples

[mercedes]

her legs arent as much wobbly as shes more or less uncoordinaded. i think it may be because of her tail being docked? her balance may be thrown? she kind of runs sideways, or at an angle at us, but shes just as playful as any other puppy ...im going to see the vet either today or tomorrow, i cant get ahold of the breeder....they told us when we picked her up, that if she had the hip displacia, they would exchange our puppy for a new one for up to a year....but i dont want to because shes soo sweet its like shes already potty trained and she listens soo well....and they said if we would have to exchange a pup, they would put it down and give us a new born one...hopefully its just they way she is, if it doesnt put her in pain, im gonna keep her like she is....pray for mercedes

[Judi W]

Originally posted by mercedes
and they said if we would have to exchange a pup, they would put it down and give us a new born one...hopefully its just they way she is, if it doesnt put her in pain, im gonna keep her like she is....pray for mercedes

I think that might be a very foolish decision to make on a pup you've only had a few days. You have not had a vet examine, don't know what medical problems and expenses or life span that might be compromised and other than "they said" you have not mentioned what your contract states.

Do not make any decisions until you have a thorough vet exam.

[mercedes]

I dont know what you mean by this is a foolish decision. If she does have hip problems, she will be too expensive to fix. It costs so much money for surgery. Also, we had hoped some day to breed her.

[marianne]

Is this your first rottie? I sincerely hope you do take you girl to the vet. Do you have a written contract or just verbel? HD treatment is costly...but so is owning a pet!

So far you have not really said much about your breeder. Would you really want another pup from that type of genetics? If Hd would show up (and she's a bit young to tell) the sire and damm would not make a good pair for rebreeding.

As has said before 6 1/2 wks is too young to leave the mother. This says alot about who you bought your pup from as well.

As for the wobbling,is she doing that on a smooth surface,or carpeted area?

Good luck at your vets. Most contracts are written that the pup be examained within 48 hrs. Your time is drawing close.

[BostonRott]

Ok, having read these posts, I'm going to be quite blunt.

Puppies from reputable breeders do NOT go home at 6.5 weeks.

Puppies from breeders who care about their pups do NOT go home at 6.5 weeks.

Pupppies from breeders who CARE about their stock, and the lives they have created do NOT go back to the breeder to simply be put down. That's a complete load of crap.

If hip surgery is too expensive, why did you get a puppy? Do you realize how much it costs to own a dog? Food for a year, yearly vaccines and vet check, liscensing? Fixing things that go wrong?

You think "fixing hips" is expensive, and yet you want to breed? Tell me how you like these numbers: Just had a c-section on my bitch, cost $1200. Better than a dead bitch or dead puppies. Can you afford that if your girl gets into trouble? My A Litter, I had a female puppy that I wanted to keep for myself. She was sick, and misdiagnosed by an emergency vet (spent $200 there for the wrong diagnosis and treatment). Went to emergency vet #2, had an overnight ICU admit, and ended up putting the puppy down in the morning anyway. ICU visit: $1000. Or will you just kill your puppies without giving them a chance? BTW, that ICU visit was simply an admit, IV fluids, IV antibiotics, an xray and a few sets of lab work. Nothing extensive or "pushing the envelope," just basic treatments.

They only guarantee the puppy against hip dysplasia for a year? You've been completely taken. That's a totally worthless "guarantee." A dog can not be cleared for HD until 2 years of age by the OFA (http://www.offa.org) If the HD is severe enough, it can be diagnosed later, but often, dogs with no symptoms are affected and you won't know it until they're 2.

I'm very sorry for you. YOu have bought a puppy from what would seem to be a back yard breeder who doesn't care about you or your puppy. Bet they're really happy with the $$$ you gave them though!

A breeder who cares will not release puppies at 6.5 weeks of age.

A breeder who cares has a contract, and sells puppies with VALID guarantees.

A breeder who cares is ALWAYS willing to take their own puppies back, and NOT kill them.

A breeder who cares would be available to you. My puppy buyers know they can call me 24/7. They have my house and cell numbers and I don't care WHAT the problem is, what the hour is, they can call me.

A breeder who cares would have taken the time to educate you, the novice, on the above points, and also explained the responsibilities (including financial) of owning a large breed dog.

As my 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Gross, used to say "With a priviledge comes a responsibility!"

I do hope that you have competent vets in your area, and perhaps also, some competant caring Rottweiler owners who can take you under their wing and help you through situations as they come up.

Do yourself and the puppy a favor, get to a vet ASAP for a well puppy exam. Find a puppy kindergarten class and sign up for it as soon as the dog is eligible. Once that is done, take more obedience classes.

Between ages 6 and 8 weeks, puppies learn the "rules of being a dog." Your puppy was taken away entirely too early, and your breeder has now set you up for a strong likelihood of dog aggression and poor dog interaction. You can circumvent this by getting the puppy out around lots of other people and dogs, and taking classes to keep the puppy socialized to dogs.

This forum has a lot of educated and experienced Rottweiler owners who are willing to help, glad to see you are willing to ask questions. I wish the best for you and your puppy, and hopefully you can find the help you both need.