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GD Puppy Bone Development question

goneriding Jun 01, 2005 08:30 AM

Hi Folks:

I have a nine week old GD female pup and noticed that one of her forefront foot points slightly outword, is this a normal part of growing up? I have been feeding her Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul adult food until my order of Flint River Ranch food comes - which she will eat for the remainder of her life. I was just wondering if her growing would cause her bones to look funny some times?

Also, the vet gave me methio-form tablets to give her to help maintain her PH balance due to having a UTI twice now. What are your thoughts on this med?

Thank you

Replies (9)

goneriding Jun 01, 2005 08:55 AM

One more thing - I have not been giving her the Methio-form until I learn that it is ok to give to her. I believe that my vet is not very experienced with the giant breeds - I based this on his recommendation to feed her Purina Puppy Food, which I know is a big NO NO.

Also, what weight should she be at nine weeks?

Thanks again

PHFasDog Jun 02, 2005 12:20 PM

Wow, she is adorable!
-----
Melody/PHFasDog
Email me at PHFasDog

My furkids:
Shadow, Jadzia and Lyta.
Kira waiting at the bridge.

Dogs come into our lives, and too quickly go leaving pawprints on our hearts, and we will never be quite the same again.

scameron83 Jun 02, 2005 01:16 PM

I was worried about my blue dane when I got him because he was so much smaller than my first dane when she was his age. One growth chart that I found was http://www.chromadane.com/ht&wt.htm Hope it gives you an idea

Samantha

P.S. your puppy is a cutie

goneriding Jun 02, 2005 02:50 PM

Thanks, I think she is cute too . I posted her picture on another forum and they suggested that it may be the beginning stages of HOD. Needless to say I am a little freaked out by the fact that it may be HOD. I am now feeding her Flint River Ranch, what do you folks think?

I have also looked at other pictures of GD puppies and their front feet look very similar. She is now 17 pounds and 14 inches tall at the withers.

Thanks again
Sadie Mae Front Feet at 9 weeks

rams2gether Aug 03, 2005 12:05 AM

By the way, here is a nice lil' table for her weight gain.
http://www.chromadane.com/ht&wt.htm

PHFasDog Jun 01, 2005 11:21 AM

I am not very knowledgeable on giant breeds, but it sounds like you know what you're doing when it comes feeding. I've heard often enough that giant breeds need a good quality adult food, not puppy food to ensure slower growth. Seems odd that she has already had 2 UTI's at such a young age. Have you been in contact with the breeder? Maybe he/she can tell you more about her growth and the UTI's.

Do you have any photos yet??
-----
Melody/PHFasDog
Email me at PHFasDog

My furkids:
Shadow, Jadzia and Lyta.
Kira waiting at the bridge.

Dogs come into our lives, and too quickly go leaving pawprints on our hearts, and we will never be quite the same again.

goneriding Jun 01, 2005 11:54 AM

Thanks for the quick response. I did speak with the breeder and she said that the mother/father are in perfect health - they are extremely beautiful (father harlequin and mother fawn). I took her to the vet due to a slight discharge from her vulva when she urinated and he said that it is normal for all puppies to have this, however, that her PH balance may be off. I have attached a picture of Sadie Mae at 7 weeks old.

Thanks again
Sadie Mae 7 weeks old

valerietheangel Jul 14, 2005 01:30 AM

Hi! Your pup is very pretty! Two UTI's aren't a good sign, however. It's also excellent that you know that giant breed pups shouldn't be fed puppy food, in fact, they shouldn't be fed any food with protein levels over 24%.

Also, you might want to try finding a different vet who knows about giant breeds as they come with their own set of health problems. Since the big fear in owning a great dane (for most people) is bloat, you should definately find out if your vet is equipped to handle a case of bloat and possibly torsion. This is where the stomach swells with gas and can actually twist, a situation that can kill your dog in a few hours. Emergency surgery can sometimes fix this though. You might do more research if you aren't familiar with bloat as it is a huge problem (even worse is the lack of information about what causes it).

Your breeder doesn't seem like he/she would be much help b/c your pup's parents should not have been bred. According to the Great Dane Club of America's Color Code, Fawn danes should only be bred with fawns or brindles, harlequins should be bred with harlequins or mantles, and blacks should be bred with blacks/blues. (You can check the color code at www.gdca.org).

I hope this helps you. You have a beautiful girl, I hope you two have many years of happiness together.

P.S. I almost forgot www.danesonline.com is a great board for information regarding danes, there are many reputable breeders with many years of experience on that board and a ton of information for new dane owners!

rams2gether Aug 03, 2005 12:00 AM

Hi.
My Dane had the same problem, he is now 15 weeks.
I was researching and researching until I came across this site
http://www.eaglepack.com/pages/ep_large_giant_puppy.html
please scroll down to see the pics in this link.
This made me soooo sad.
So now, I am awaiting the shipment of his food.
They do not sell Giant Puppy Breed Eagle Pak in TEXAS for some reason.
I know this will correct the problem.
Seems to be a common problem. Just one I will not chance.
Good Luck!
I wish you and you "owner" the very best

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