why is three week old boxer pup paw smaller than the other

by Eileen
(Port Hueneme, CA)

Why is my three week old boxer runt's front paw smaller than the other and the upper limb has a lump?

Also she doesn't seem to be growing and her brother and sisters are twice her size!





Hi Eileen
I'd strongly recommend that you have this little girl thoroughly examined by your veterinarian to make sure that she is completely healthy, and to find out what is causing this leg/paw to grow abnormally.

Sometimes the 'runt' puppy is smaller than the other simply because of his genes, position in the womb etc. Other times it's because there is some underlying health condition.

As your puppies are now 3 weeks old and this little one managed to nurse and thrive, hopefully her problems, if any, are minor ones and I'm sure your veterinarian will be able to put your mind at rest. Often these healthy but smaller pups grow to be the same size, or even bigger, than their siblings when adult.

The size of her leg/paw may be a congenital defect and something that you can't fix, but it may not, again only your vet can really give you the answers you need so please get your puppy examined asap.l

Best of luck.