my puppy's back end has recently become stiff and he struggles to get out of bed after sleeping and he limps on one back leg sometime, do you know what it is or what i could do?

My puppy is a labrador and is coming up 5 months but Recently his back end has become stiff and when he has been to sleep for over an hour he struggles to get out of his bed and has to be massaged and carried in order to get him up.

He limps sometimes on one of his back legs and doesn't like eating his puppy food but will eat scrambled egg and mince etc.

He still seems happy and what to play but also can be sort tired and clumsy. Is it just growth problems or has he got a problem with his hip?






Hi
The only person who can tell you for sure what's going on with your puppy is your veterinarian and I'd strongly recommend that you get your puppy a vet exam asap.

Labrador Retrievers are a breed prone to hip problems such as Canine Hip Dysplasia and it's certainly possible that he is having issues for that reason. However, hip dysplasia is often not seen until a pup is older than this, so it's also possible there is something else to blame.

Large breed puppies grow very quickly and can suffer from a variety of bone/joint problems for this reason - especially if their diet isn't optimal. Panosteitis is another possibility here. Although it's normally seen in the front legs first, it's possible that it could start at the back. As I said earlier though, only your vet can make an accurate diagnosis.

Many puppies are 'picky eaters' and go through phases and stages when it comes to appetite. I wouldn't recommend feeding a growing puppy on scrambled eggs and raw meat, you can't guarantee him the right balance of nutrients that way and this can contribute to problems with his bones and joints. Choose a premium puppy food (see my Best Puppy Food Choices page for a list of some of the top foods, and my About Puppy Kibble page for lots of tips and advice on feeding puppies. Only offer him this food and he will soon start to eat it, nature won't allow him to starve himself.

Of course feeding a home made diet is possible for many dogs, but not recommended for puppies, and if you do choose this type of diet it's important to make sure you get the balance of nutrients right and do the necessary research first. For now, I'd recommend sticking to a premium commercial food and getting your puppy evaluated by your veterinarian so that you can find out what's wrong and get him back on track.

Hope this helps, best of luck with your puppy.