We have just got a Ridgeback puppy. She is 13 weeks and is bow legged. She as seen the vet and he says he cant say either way if this will effect her in the future. I have been been feeding her food with calcium and protien will this help. And is there any advice anyone can give many thanks

Have you spoken the the breeder about it, did any of the other pups look the same, did both parents have health tests with good results. As far as food is concerned a good quality puppy food fed 4 time a day should be fine no need to add anything else.

Adding Calcium supplements to an already good diet can actually cause skeletal problems so don;t do it.

Occasionally the growth plates can be damaged and grow more one side than the other causing bowing. If the bowing is pronounced and increasing then a specialist would look at causing the other side of the growth plate to stop growing, which will affect the overall growth but stop the bowing at the point ti has reached.

has the pups sustained any injury or done excessive exercise like jumping, going down stairs etc?

Have you only just got the puppy and was she like this when you got her? Have you purchased her from someone reputable and knowledgeable?
As has already been said, adding calcium to a balanced diet will often cause problems.
I'd want to be referred to a specialist if it was one of mine.

A visit to your vet is a must, it sounds like rickets to me, google 'rickets pups' and look at the images. Your vet might bandage them with supports and will certainly give advice on diet/supplements.

I've seen some truly awful cases that have been cured dramatically so it's well worth a vet visit :-)

Edited to add, sorry I see you have been to the vets, what did he say it was?

The breeder told us she was born in worse condition and was going to have her PTS but the vet told them to give her a chance. She as improved (according to them) as shes got older and her movement is not affected at all. This was confiemed by the vet who I saw. He said it could keep improving with age but theres a chance the bones could grow at different rates. It was the last of the pups and we took thier word it was just cosmetic probs as we only want her for a pet we just couldnt not have her once we had seen her.
WE saw both her parents who were fine but no others from the litter.
As for feeding I dont meen adding supplements but just food like eggs sardines cereals and milk.
Thanks for advice from all of you

I'm sorry, Sharon, but as a responsible breeder (of Ridgebacks!), reading this makes me livid. How could they pass on a puppy with a problem to someone else :(

Yes I agree. I was shocked that they didnt ask us any questions about our home lives or anything. The pup was for my 16 yr old daughter and Im sorry to say but we just couldnt walk away from her. Shes a well behaved pup and is very clever. Weve had her 1 week today and shes settled well. She is in great health apart from her legs

Would ask your vet for a referral as although it will cost it may well be less to get it sorted out now whilst she is still growing than later. It is irresponsible to sell you a pup with problems because you will not be able to insure her for this problem but I understand how you could not leave her they just should not have shown her to you.

As to food, feed a good quality puppy food and it will not hurt to add some eggs, fish or meat, tinned fish is fine and they usually love pilchards in tomato sauce but don't over do the adding as you are changing the carefully balanced food by doing so, just a taster for her pleasure as much as anything.

I'd advise getting her to a specialist in growth - my vets has a northern regional specialist in orthopaedics including growth issues.  I'd want to know what I dealing with.  Ask your vet to refer you to either a local vet school or a suitable specialist to see what is going on here.  Sounds like a very poor breeder sadly :-(

I'm not sure if this is the same disorder - but after you have seen the vet/specialist this lady seems to have had quite a bit of experience of bone growth disorders:

http://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/puppy_feed_program_for_knuckling_over.htm

> The breeder told us she was born in worse condition and was going to have her PTS but the vet told them to give her a chance. She as improved (according to them) as shes got older and her movement is not affected at all. This was confiemed by the vet who I saw. He said it could keep improving with age but theres a chance the bones could grow at different rates. It was the last of the pups and we took thier word it was just cosmetic probs as we only want her for a pet we just couldnt not have her once we had seen her.
> WE saw both her parents who were fine but no others from the litter.

Just as a matter of interest. did you pay for this puppy? or have you been given her? Has the breeder said they will help out if the puppy does need veterinary treatment in the future?

It doesnt look like the same dissorder but its an interesting link and will look into it. Its like her elblow joints are set wide and she as a Dacshound (sorry misspelt) type look. No we payed for her but a low price and to be honest I doubt very much they will help with costs. I really should not have been so trusting as I took thier word the pup after seeing a vet was said to be only cosmeticly wrong there would be no health problems. And is we didnt want to show her there would be no probs. Also they said she had improved a great deal.
I have been out today and bought science plan to feed her. Im sure thats good enough.
Thanks for help I feel such a fool now. I just hope the poor little thing does improve.

I read somewhere that if you lift the front end of the dog and the legs fall straight then is correctable with the right diet.

Great results in those pics on that link.

I agree with the others--please get referred to an orthopaedic specialist.

Ive been searching net most of the day looking at pics of bow legged pups and she looks nowhere as deformed as them. Her legs are not bent or twisted her elbow joints are more out to the side than the back. The more I look into it the more confused Im getting.

I'd definitely ask for a specialist
Many issues can improve with the right care and diet

I know of a young RR with dreadful front legs lots of Bowing who with care did strengthen enough to lead a sound enough life to date.
But it needs to be ascertained from where the problem stems

Good luck and as an RR owner and breed enthusiast I am shocked that such a puppy would be sold

Sharon have you actually had the pup to a vet yourself, or are you taking the breeders word for it?

Can I ask you what you mean by a dachshound look,none of mine have bow legs,they wrap around the chest which is what they are suppose to do.

Yes she went to the vet the day after we got her for her inoculations and he examined her legs. What I meen by that look is they have that stocky look and are wide apart. I have looked at pics of other pups of the same breed and the legs are wide set but hers are more so and her elbow joints stick out to the side other than back towards her body xx

Do her feet point forward or are they pointing in toward the centre.

Would you like to send me a pic by email, Sharon? I'll message you my email address if you'd like.

Yes ridgielover thats a good idea. they point forwards

I'll message you ...