Hello.  Over the past couple of days my 19 week old male lab pup's rear joints have started to click when he sits down.  I can only describe the noise as being similar to when some of us humans bend at the knees - a kind of craking noise.  He doesn't appear to be bothered or suffering from any discomfort and is otherwise his usual energetic and playful self.  He has an appointment with the vet next Thursday for a general 5 month check up but I wondered if I should be taking him sooner in light of this problem. 

He hasn't suffered any falls, drops, etc. so I don't know what's caused this to start.  Has anyone any suggestions what's causing the click and whether I should be seeking medical advice sooner than next week?  I don't want to appear over anxious (if that's possible with a pup) but at the same time, I don't want to ignore the issue if my puppy needs help.

Thanks.

Hi Guest, only a vet would be able to tell you and even they may not be sure. The clicking sound may his knees as there is a problem that causes a clicking it is the knee cap that slips in and out of place, this problem is common in small dogs and dogs with straight hind legs but I was not aware of it being found in Labs. Have heard that you can sometimes hear the hips but have no heard it myself.

If you pup is having trouble walking or you are worried then the vet is the best place to ask, if you pup is insured then don't forget to renew it when the first 6 weeks cover ends, just in case.

my dog had the same thing happen but with the hips not knee area, now i don't want to give you any false information and I would get the vet to check yours out, but after a while the clicking just seemed to disappear. I asked the same question to my vet and they said it may be to do with my dog growing pains and maybe to have an x-ray done after 12 months to check everything was still in order. I was very frightened as he is a retriever and they suffer from bad hips but like you my dog was a normal as ever and after a few weeks the clicking has stopped. Please get your dog checked out anyway, let us know how it goes

My dog (medium size) started clicking when he was about 4 mths. He's still clicking now at 12 yrs! don't know what it is but it's never affected him. Hope your boy's the same!