Alfie my 6 month old boxer has a really wierd rib. Its the smallest rib closest to under his stomach and one side just sticks out. When he is stood up or sat down you cant see it, its only when he puts his head down to eat or drink that it suddenly sticks right out. Its not painful at all and having read up on the net ive discovered "floating" ribs. Is this normal to have just one side stick right out in this way?? Do i need to do anything about it??

One of our old setters had a a similar thing, never affected him in his 14 years :)

> ive discovered "floating" ribs. Is this normal to have just one side stick right out in this way?? Do i need to do anything about it??

Totally normal and runs in families...look at his pedigree and see if he has Santanoaks in it. :-)

Nothing needs doing at all.

Sorry spelling mistake...(Annabelle would kill me)...its Santonoaks.

Yes his pedigree does have Santonoaks in the 3rd, 4th and 5th generation, why do you ask??? ( sorry i dont know much about the relevence :)

Two of my unrelated chihuahuas have these on opposite sides of each other.My middle son has one higher up on his chest.

Santonoaks dogs have always struck me as having floating ribs.
I used S.Robbie Redcoat and all my pups had it and if you see photos of him you will see his.

> sorry i dont know much about the relevence

There isn't one - other than I know quite a lot about boxers and have done for 30 years :-) I've probably met most of the dogs on your pedigree.

It's just a funny little quirk  - just like inheriting your Mum's dimples for example - not important but I thought you might be interested

Oh sorry i hope i didnt come across abrupt that wasnt intended!! No its really interesting because Santonoaks Robbie Redcoat is in his 5th generation!!! Ive had boxers before but never pedigree puppies before and had never seen or heard of floating ribs. I was quite worried at first when i saw it, i was convinced he had a broken rib :)

LOL Alfsmum first time I found a pup with this I ran to the vet in a panic.  Now I know that there is a dog in the pedigree of some of my dogs that is known for throwing off spring with this short rib.