Chow pup having trouble getting up.....

[coleena]

My 6 month old chow is a happy little guy and loves his walks, playtime etc but lately I have noticed that he struggles to get up from sitting position and scoots his bottom along the floor..... I am not sure if this is a normal chow 'characteristic' being as they are fairly heavy dogs with short back legs, or whether this is an early warning sign of hip dysplasia. Some feedback from those more experienced chow owners would be much appreciated.... He is fed a cup of good quality dog biscuits twice a day so I wouldn't have thought him overweight..... Last check a couple months ago he was 11.5kg, and I would estimate maybe 13kg now.

[wokman]

Scooting their bottom on the floor can be swollen glands located under the base of the tail.
I would see your Veterinarian about the problem. What ever the problem is, it is not normal behavior.
When you say biscuits, do you mean kibble; very small pieces of dry food?

[coleena]

Hi there. Thanks for the reply. Yes, I use Optimum puppy food (wee bite sized biscuits, like cat biscuits). He also has the odd raw knuckle bone (from pet store to ensure no danger of splintering). I am a little concerned about the back leg issue, and you have confirmed it is not a normal thing to see in a chow pup so will definitely be paying a visit to the vet. It seems like the butt scooting is more because he doesn't want to lift himself up with the back legs, and when he does finally get up you can see it clearly takes some effort. Also seems worse at nights.....

[kitten1426]

Our female chow that is 21 months old now,she was Having a problem getting up using her front legs more then her rear ...we took her to the vet she has Bad hip dysplasia and arthritis...We took her to a specialist she is getting FHO surgey today...so yes take Him fast...Chows are noted to have Bad hips...

[612guy]

Occasionally a chow will start to limp on their rear leg/legs during the 'lock down phase' when the rear legs stiffen up at about 6 -10 months old. Try not to walk so far and not on hard pavement. Take it easy on him through this phase.

[Koda&Nyjersmom]

I am new to the chow world..could you please clarify what the "lock down phase" is. I have notice my 10 month old having a little trouble getting up. Appears to me more stiff than anything..is this due to the age.

[coleena]

Yes, I'd be interested to know too..... I hope this is the case rather than an early onset of hip dysplasia....

[612guy]

Chows are a unique breed in that when puppies grow their rear legs lose their flexibility and become stiff resulting in a stilted gait. Google " stilted gait & chows" and it will help see what it is. In the show ring chows are walked unlike other dogs because the judge wants to see their movement of the stilted gait . Also how many of you knew chows have 44 teeth and all other dogs have 42?

[kitten1426]

I knew both..but that still doesnt mean that cant get Hip dysplasia..MY opinion take him to a vet get x-rays cant hurt...and if there is something wrong you will feel better that you did and they can help him sooner...

[coleena]

Thanks for the replies. I have been to the vet and have been informed it is either Luxating patellar (loose joint in leg), which cannot be operated on until 12 months, and could right itself, OR hip dysplasia. The hip dysplasia cannot be determined without a full x ray and Chowy having to be put under full anesthetic. The vet has advised he is in no pain, so I have decided to keep a watchful eye on it over the next few months, rather than have him put under anesthetic for possibly no good reason. I have also been in touch with the breeder to see if he has anything to add. Looks like I will just have to wait and see for a bit. I'll post back with the outcomes as they happen. Hopefully may assist someone else in the future!

[coleena]

Chowy as at last week!

[Blackbear]

Does your breeder have the hip and elbow scores for the parents. You want the score for each hip and not just the combined score. This may give an indication of where the problem is.

[kitten1426]

WRONG....our female chow was just diagnosed with have bad hip dysplasia..and they did the X-ray while we waited and SHE was not put under..so look for another Vet...She was operated on both hips One on Monday and the other today she had FHO surgery...When she was 6 months we heard popping in her knees/hips the Vet said it sounds like the growth plates not fully devolped..we didnt get an X-ray then we should have because that was the begning stages of her having Hip dysplasia...the surgen said she had it young..Well its your dog do what you want but i would not Wait look to have it taken care of now X-ray i mean...if they dont do it look for another Vet....

[coleena]

THANK YOU. I just rang another vet and got a second opinion, and you are absolutely right. They have said they CAN do an x ray without him being fully anesthetized (may just need a small dose of sedative to keep him calm). He also disagreed with the wait and see approach. I have an appointment for Friday. The trouble is that Chows are so uncommon here in NZ, and I just don't think the vets have a lot, if any, experience with them. I will keep posting back to keep you all updated....

[Blackbear]

Depending on the outcome I would be talking to your breeder as well. Hip and elbow problems are normally linked to poor breeding.

[kitten1426]

THANK YOU. I just rang another vet and got a second opinion, and you are absolutely right. They have said they CAN do an x ray without him being fully anesthetized (may just need a small dose of sedative to keep him calm). He also disagreed with the wait and see approach. I have an appointment for Friday. The trouble is that Chows are so uncommon here in NZ, and I just don't think the vets have a lot, if any, experience with them. I will keep posting back to keep you all updated....

Good im glad please let us know the outcome....

[Victory]

Also how many of you knew chows have 44 teeth and all other dogs have 42?

I knew that.

I also know that while their back legs are straight and they walk with a stilted gait, they should NEVER have pain upon getting up, they should be able to run, jump, climb stairs and do all the activities that other breeds do. The idea that chows can't move like other breeds has resulted in more hip, elbow dysplasia as well as other joint problems, like torn ligaments in their knees etc.

If your puppy is having problems getting up, take him to the vet for tests, his behavior is not normal, nor should it be ignored as part of his growing up. My girl is nearly 11 years old, when she walks she has a lovely stitled gait, when she runs, she her gait is smooth, and graceful, when she jumps it is effortless and beautiful to watch. All chows should enjoy the same ease of movement.

[Victory]

You posted before I did. I am glad you are getting a second opinion. You are doing the right thing.

[Sarahloo]

I've been told by my vet that the HD x-rays can't be done with a conscious dog because they need to overstretch the dog's legs in a way that really hurts. So I don't know ...
I would not, however, be too afraid of anesthesia. When it's necessary, it's necessary. Loo has been knocked out several times (entropion surgery, ...), and was back on his feet in no time at all!

Did you follow up on what wokman said about full and possibly infected a*nal glands? I've seen both my tomcat and Loo walk around on their behinds! It's probably not what's wrong with Chowy, but the vet could still have a look.

[Blackbear]

For hip scoring the dog must be unconscious and they do stretch the legs but maybe for severe HD diagnosis they dont need to do this.

[kitten1426]

Our Female chow was wide awake her hip dysplasia was easy to see on an X-ray..she is at the vet as we speak..she had FHO surgey we pick her up tomorrow...and the Rehab begins...

[coleena]

Update: Had a second vet look at Chowy and I got a bit more information, however this vet was still dubious about doing an x ray this early in the piece. He said with dogs not fully grown it is hit and miss whether the x ray is accurate and often comes out obscured due to them wriggling (if not under anesthetic).... Anyway, the verdict from him was pretty much that he didn't think it would be a luxating patella (although still possible). In the event that it is hip dysplasia he said that by waiting for the next 6 months until he is fully grown will not in any way be detrimental to him (ie; he will be no worse off in 6 months if it is in fact hip dysplasia than if found now). There is an operation they can do on really young puppies, however Chowy is well past that stage.

So, I will watch Chowy very closely for the next few weeks and see how it goes. If I think it is getting any worse then I'll take him back and insist on further examination. I had a thought that it could be a neurological thing, which scares me a bit, but I guess only time will tell. The vet did say it could just be a funny 'quirk', which would be great, but just about too much to hope for! Oh yes, and they did the *Censored Word* gland check and that was fine.

I also had them look at his eyes as they have been running a wee bit lately and he said they are 'not perfect', (entropion wise), but not so bad that it would need any kind of surgery etc. Again, he said to wait and watch....

[kitten1426]

Well Hip dysplasia doest just go away and i can almost bet it is...We heard a popping noise in our female chows hips when she was young..the Vet said let her go and see what happens...Well the surgen told us that was the bodies way of fixing the Hip problem..the popping noise was loose hips the popping went away Know why?????...Because she then got arthitis...in her hips thats why we didnt hear the popping noise anymore...One day i called her to come in she got up with her front legs then her back ones like a very old dog would...Off to the Vet we went X-rays were taken..Wide awake...Bingo Bad Hip dysplasia..with terrible Arthitis..Oh and a dis-located Hip...She would run play with the other dogs just fine just tired out a little faster we thought Ehh she is ok..well Were glad we took her she had FHO surgey and she is home recovering As i write this..she can walk with a sling but hse sure is trying to walk without our help...If this was my Dog i wouldnt be happy until i got the answer i want to Hear...But its your Dog...Oh also..When our Airedale stopped eating rite to the vet they took basic tests found nothing gave him some meds...I said he isnt Right at the time my wife said no he is being Picky on what he is getting to eat...HE went from 10-11 cups of food to 1 cup a day SOMETHING was wrong Back to the vet we went I said he isnt right FIND it....we did exstentive Blood work on him $1000 dollars worth they found it..he had a Bad bactirea in his system..IF i didnt demand more tests he might have died...MY point dont take well lets wait and see...that to me isnt answer...But again its your Dog...I also rushed our collie to the Vet with a simple Limp you never know,....Good luck i hope everything works out for you....

[Sirchow]

I think it is important when dealing with these issues to read and investigate online to find out all you can so you have as much information to make informed decisions as possible and to also realise there is no one hard and fast way to deal with every dog. We have been through torn cruciates, luxating patellas, hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia in this house and I have followed various methods to deal with them. Surgery has not been an option for the HD or ED and not neccessary for the luxating patellas but was the way to go for the cruciates.

[kitten1426]

Well when a 21 month old dog has pain getting up and Has hip dysplasia we did what was best for her...We WERE not going to JUST leave it...My advice is i would make sure the dog gets the best care and to make sure its not HD...Now before its to late....But you know what its your dog do what you want....I wouldnt wait...just my opinion....