Stiffness and rear end problems.

[Dillon]

Hi all am writing for some advice / reasurrance about my 16 week old male Newf.
I am a liitle worried about his hips as on many occasion he has woken from sleeping very stiff. Also on a few occasions his back legs has given way momentarily. This is my first Newfoundland and I dont know what is perceived as normal?
He is 48lbs.
I have never over done the excersise.
I am taking him to the vets tomorrow for his distemper shot so will discuss it with her.
Has anybody else had any experience with this? I am very worried at this point.
Many thanks in advance.
Helen

[IRONMANNZ09]

Hi Helen,

Like you we are 1st time newf owners, We noticed after Tane had big sleeps he was a bit wobbly and stiff but our breeder said it is probably the way he slept . hid legs havnt given way though so definatley talk with your vet. Let us know how you get on!!!

Any pics of your boy???

[Crazy4Suki]

Hi Helen, I'm a little wobbly too sometimes when I wake up could be his leg just fell asleep. Let us know what the vet says.

[ozzysma]

i would definately talk to the vet about it!! good luck with your baby!!

[Dillon]

Thank you so much for your replies, I visited the vet today who gave him an xray and everythings seems to be ok. She has said he walks slighty higher on his left side, the stiffness could be due to growth spurts. Still no explanation for the back legs giving way though. So in one respect I feel much better knowing his hips are clear but am still unsure as to what could be causing it, maybe it is as simple as a growth spurt only time will tell I guess. I go back next week to get his distemper shot, so will see if their is an improvement in the meanwhile. Thanks so much for all your replies, not sure how to put photos up I will give it a try )

[Dillon]

Originally Posted by Dillon

Thank you so much for your replies, I visited the vet today who gave him an xray and everythings seems to be ok. She has said he walks slighty higher on his left side, the stiffness could be due to growth spurts. Still no explanation for the back legs giving way though. So in one respect I feel much better knowing his hips are clear but am still unsure as to what could be causing it, maybe it is as simple as a growth spurt only time will tell I guess. I go back next week to get his distemper shot, so will see if their is an improvement in the meanwhile. Thanks so much for all your replies, not sure how to put photos up I will give it a try )

She has given me some Thuya and mineral supplements to see if this helps

[newfnewbie]

Dillon,

I know how you feel. My "Chumley" is 6.5months (100lbs) and last week he got up real slow like an old man, then would not initially use his right rear leg. I saw him do this twice in the 10 days prior. Eventually he gets the leg moving, then he's fine. Right away, I thought hip displasia, then Lyme disease. I took him to the vet last week. The vet felt a swollen muscle back there. I brought my 80 lb mixed breed for Lyme testing too. She knew even before asking me it was likely the result of their rough play. I was just relieved it was not hip displasia, though we didn't have x-rays. Chumley was neg. for Lyme, but my mix was positive for the second time in 4 years...it's quite prevalent here. She gave Chumley a laser treatment on that muscle along with pain pills, and he's never favored that leg or gotten up slow again. I now have strict instructions to not allow any rough play or jumping or long walks for the 1st year of his life, just because of their rapid growth. Just be observant, keep talking with the vet, and let us know.

[Dillon]

Originally Posted by IRONMANNZ09

Hi Helen,

Like you we are 1st time newf owners, We noticed after Tane had big sleeps he was a bit wobbly and stiff but our breeder said it is probably the way he slept . hid legs havnt given way though so definatley talk with your vet. Let us know how you get on!!!

Any pics of your boy???

Hi I have put a few up on Photosforclubnewf under Dillon, beautiful boy you have btw.