Stephanie17s
12-12-2003, 01:47 PM
I'm just curious to know if bow-legged dogs suffer from any health issues, and (if anything) what can be done to correct this problem. Thanks.
originalfatc
12-12-2003, 03:32 PM
I think the best bet would be to talk to your vet. They may be able to tell you if its temporary, a defect that would cause further problems or something that needed to be corrected and how.
RWDVM
12-20-2003, 08:18 PM
"Bowleggedness" in dogs is usually caused by a congenital condtion known as carpal varus. This occurs as a result of an uneven growth of the long bones of the forearm. The treatment is an expensive and invasive procedure called a wedge ostectomy, where a wedge of bone is removed from the longer of the two uneven bones. The bone is then plated back together minus the wedge of bone.
This procedure is only recommended if the dog is handicapped as a result of the condition. If the dog can move around well enough to enjoy a good quality of life, then it is recommended that the surgery not be done. However, the dog should be placed on a joint supportive supplement for life, as these dogs are predisposed to arthritis at an early age. Click on the arthritis management page of my veterinary advice and health management website listed below to learn about how joint supplements works and which one I recommend.
Good luck and happy holidays!
Roger L. Welton, DVM
Veterinarian, Webmaster http://www.askdvm.com