Has anyone else come across this .- bought pedigree choc lab which is now 7 months old. He has developed a back leg limp and doesn't want to run play or even go for a walk. Have been to vets and had X-rays which are clear, also a number of blood tests which are also clear, (waiting for blood tests from usa) Vet specialist said there was a new disease involving male chocolate labs which affects the rear legs, appears in the form of limp or hop and gets progressively worse, he does not yelp or show any signs of pain other than sluggish hopping movement, he looks so sad and it is more like walking a 15 year old dog where he is only 7 months. Have read other threads re say flex, could this help?
This affliction only appears on male dogs of this age so far, can anyone comment further or give any advice.

sorry to hear this, did they say what it was called and what the prognosis was?

Sounds like Labrador Myopathy although I think the proper name is much longer -and I very much doubt it affects one colour only. Hopefully kayc who is *the* person for Labradors here will come along and have some info.

I too would be surprised if it were just the one colour, seems that if both lines are clear and so far all vet tests are clear it is a puzzle. Do not leave it too long if your vet can't diagnose then ask for the referral, you can't treat till you know what you are dealing with. Good Luck.

In the mean time keep your puppy dry and warm.

ah yes, not just labradors get this, and certainly not just one colour - unfortunately no cure, but mildly affected dogs are ok, but it can affect badly.  I know a GSD with a similar issue :-(

it's hereditary, so contact your breeder as your pups parents and possibly other relatives should not be used for breeding.  I don't think there's a DNA test for this as yet, so people should be over cautious over using relatives of affected dogs.

I hope your pup isn't too badly affected

Hy Darkelfsy, colour and sex of the dog has nothing to do with the condition, although it has been generally thought that Yellows suffer more, statics can only be taken from those that are actually diagnosed.   It is an inherited condition and IF it is what I think it is, it affects Labradors and Bouvier Des Flandres. 

Hereditary myopathy means an inherited disease of muscle. Labrador retriever myopathy is a rare inherited disease which causes muscle weakness because of a deficiency of type II muscle fibres. The first sign is an abnormal, stiff gait, which progresses to a generalized weakness by about 5 months of age.

In Labrador retriever myopathy, the mode of inheritance is  autosomal recessive. The mode of inheritance is unknown in the Bouvier.

The first thing you may notice is that your Lab puppy has an abnormal gait (sometimes called "bunny-hopping"). By around 5 months of age, your pup's growth will be stunted, and he will have generalized weakness which may come and go, and will probably be worse with exercise, excitement, or cold temperatures. As the condition worsens, the muscles will atrophy (shrink), making certain bones appear to protrude abnormally. Other than the muscle weakness, most dogs remain bright and alert, and in many, the disease will stabilize and clinical signs will not worsen beyond 6-8 months of age. Some dogs will show gradual improvement.

There is no specific treatment or cure for this disease. Dogs that are severely affected will become very debilitated. Others who are only mildly affected have a good prognosis for a quiet life.

It is not a new disease, but possibly we are just hearing more about it.. much research was done back in the late '90's.

There is also a possibility that it could be EIC (Excersise Induced Colapse) and there is a DNA test for this

Might it be worth getting a chiropractor to take a look, just in case something is out?

And for some reason, something that completely slipped my mind is CNM (Centronuclear Myopathy)  There IS a DNA test for this too. 

http://www.labradorcnm.com/pages/site/Clinics_affected.html

Thank you for your help, still waiting for blood tests before finding out where we are, we are with private specialists who are well known in this area so he is in good hands, fingers crossed it is nothing that will cause him pain.

> he looks so sad and it is more like walking a 15 year old dog where he is only 7 months

Have the vets ruled out HOD - depression is a symptom aswell as lameness ([url=Hypertrophic osteodystrophy]Hypertrophic osteodystrophy[/url] and more info here).

My dog was diagnosed with ELBOW displasia as a pup, yet also presented with rear-leg lameness. It's possible for the dog to shift position due to pain in the front leg(s) that will effect the gait in the rear-legs.
If any growth related problem is suspected (including HOD) diet should be switched to an adult diet.

I hope you get to the bottom of it, it's such a worry having a lame pup :(

What has your dog had xrayed is it just hips?

the  'bunny hop' also sounds ike luxating patella - which is also operable - I presume the vet has ruled this out,but perhaps worth checking?

Yes, there is talk of a new, as yet un-named condition which affects male labs, although i wasn't aware of it being any more prevalent in chocolates than in black or yellows, but maybe it is if familial.  It appears to have at least a genetic pre-disposition.  I haven't heard anything about it for a while, but if I remember right there was a Cambridge Uni research project going on.

PM me and I'll give you contact details for the person I know is involved with it :-)

Darkelfsy, I have checked with the person who I would consider the breed co-ordinator for this condition, and its definitely males, but not any specific colour.  I have PM'd you her details - she will be more than happy to hear from you, and the chances are that if you submit a cheek swab you'll get an answer on whether it is this, and be able to take treatment/management from there!

Hope this helps!