Bow legs and flatulence in my boxer puppy

I just got my puppy from reputable breeder and she has terrible gas and her front legs are bowed.

She has been fed Diamond brand puppy food since she was weened and I would like to know what I can do about these two problems. Any ideas?



Hi
If the breeder you purchased this puppy from is reputable and responsible, you need to talk to them about your concerns. Good breeders know their dogs and their puppies very well, and if there is a physical problem they should be able to help you.

Whenever you bring a new puppy home it's important to have him/her evaluated by your own veterinarian within 24 - 48 hours. That way you can make sure that there are no underlying health issues and that preventative care (such as puppy shots are current)

Your vet should be able to tell you whether your pups legs are bowed due to a physical defect (whether environmental, dietary or hereditary), and also make sure there are no digestive/intestinal problems.

Some dogs are more prone to flatulence than others, and it is often related to diet. If your vet finds no physical problems, then you may find changing the brand of puppy food (but do this slowly by adding a little of the new food mixed in with the old, and then gradually increasing the new and decreasing the old) to avoid any further tummy upsets.

Large breed puppies grow and develop very quickly and diet can play a part in bone/joint deformities or problems, but at such a young age if your pup does indeed have a problem I would think it's more likely to be genetic, or congenital, in nature. In that case if you have a health contract with the breeder you may want to talk to them.

I'd personally recommend both talking to the breeder about your concerns, and having your pup seen by your veterinarian. After that you will be in a better position to decide what (if anything) needs to be done.

I wish you the best of luck with your new puppy.