Can anyone advise me on possible causes of bone deformation in puppies? We have a litter of 2 week old pups in rescue, and it was today noticed that one of the little bitches is deformed. She has a hard lump at one side of her head and this spreads down the front of the pup to her chin and chest. It isn't swollen at the front so much but very very hard. Her tongue hangs out of her mouth and she looks generally unhappy. We will probably have to have her put to sleep, but am concerned there may be some hereditary illness at work here?

Hi Caitlin, can you give us any idea as to what breed/s the parents of these pups are please?

Hi Phillipa, the mother is a x bred, maybe got some GSD in her, father unknown. Pups are all very different. Some look like they have little boxer or staffie type faces others are black and white like a collie!! Who knows... sorry.

Hi again Caitlin, thanks, I only asked as maybe a hereditary condition could have been traced if we had known the breed, but obvioulsy not in this case. Perhaphs it was just a hiccup of nature, or somewhere in her " pedigree" there was a dog who carried this type of problem. Whatever the cause, it is very sad, and I wish you all the best of luck with her and the rest of the litter.

Thanks ... some people think you have to be hard doing rescue and you do sometimes.... but this afternoon I stood holding this baby and cried :( She looked so vulnerable, but from the deformity I think it would be cruel to keep her going .. she will visit vet tomorrow.

Hi again, I had a litter of 11 born, 9 of them had a deformity and had to be pts,so I know just how you are feeling:( Nobody who works for a rescue is hard, otherwise youwouldnt be doing it !! xxx

Good news ... this deformity has turned out to be lymph gland infection!!! The vet diagnosed it instantly and the pup had the lymph glands cut open to let out infected materials (yuk) ... but is now much improving. Vet gave an 85% chance of success and touch wood seems to be working!! It was so hard I would never have believed infection alone was responsible, felt like solid bone!!

Thats great news caitlin, really hope the pup flourishes now xx

Caitlin,

That's great news, healing wishes to the puppy from this point on

Theresa :)

great caitlin xxxx

Several of the pups in the litter have now come down with the same illness ... its horrid as it requires them having their throat cut!!!! Mum and all pups now on antibiotics to prevent further pups suffering ... wish them luck.

aaaawwwwwww Caitlin - hope the little mites and mum are OK