New to Bulldogs and Site
Submitted by jriggs on December 13, 2011 - 10:03pmJust wanted to drop in and say hello and possibly ask a couple of questions. I just acquired my first english bulldog yesterday. We named him Mason, and boy does he have a personality.He is 5 months old yesterday. If I could, I would like to pose a couple of questions. If I am in the wrong section please redirect me. I am in the process of switching him to canidae(sp?) all natural lamb and rice as I read this was a good food, is it? I also bought him some dog treats called happy hips which claim to have glucosamine and condrotin in them, any thoughts? I noticed tonight after he was playing with my kids he was limping, There really wasnt any behavior that I would deem as rough that would cause the limp, is this normal? He loves being on my couch, but the jumping up and down concerns me. Should I deter him from being on the couch? Am I being overly protective becuase I spent so much on a dog? LOL Any advice would be greatly appriciated.
Thanks,
James
What does the breeder say?
Was there any 'health Guarentee' ? anything information about 'hips' in family line? If there is a limp, there is a concern - get him to a bully speciality vet - I'd recommend an xray of his hips (we did this for a 'bench mark' with Gizmo when she was in for her spay, so IF anything happends, we know what they should look like)
It might be a pulled muscle - or it might be more.
5 Months old is an odd age to purchase a puppy - usually by 8-10 weeks, they are brought home - has this puppy been 'returned' due to this limp? has this breeder 'resold' the dog with a known issue? - So many questions to ask -
1) did you buy the puppy from a repitable breeder -
Not a BYB (Back Yard Breeder) who has 4-20 female dogs for breeding purposes, or a Pet Store (Famous for buying in PUPPY MILLS)
Kippah's mom put it well, how puppys have a diease called 'Puppy Heart' when you see one, you fall in love with it, and are blinded to any and all other issues.
Check into your puppy now :) get all info you can from the breeder - if there is any suspicision of a 'injured puppy' at time of Sale, can you get your money back? (you said how you spent so much on this puppy) if it has health problems, you will be paying Thousands, if not tens of Thousands in vet bills :(
Good luck... I'm sure others will have more suggestions than I have - they are breeders, I'm only a pet person :)
Last steps taken May 26, 2014 -- Been rolling along ever since . . . .
He is at the right age for growing pains
I would not rush him to the Vet unless he acts like he is in pain. I would make sure that he has crate rest for a few days and you can give him a baby aspirin.
There's nothing unusual about buying a 5 month old puppy. A lot of breeders hang on to puppies to see how they are going to turn out.
I've never used Canidae but I know others who have. I would not feed him Lamb all the time though. I've read that Lamb can impede muscle development.
Buddy had them
Brother didn't. Growing pains that it.
Buddy also sleeps on his front legs some times and acted stiff and limped a little when he got up when he was younger.
Now he is fine.
I was scared to death to let Buddy jump up on the couch too, and now they run into each other at full speed and shake it off. Hits that would cripple a man...lol
Still I'd watch and consult the vet if it gets worse.........
Steve
Mean people still suck
Ozzy vs Jax
Ozzy would limp as a pup--but in a day or 2 it was ok--usually a pulled muscle after trying to keep up with the big dogs at the park. Jax's limp was different--he always limps when he gets up and now he limps most of the time--he is have luxating patella surgery tomorrow. So watch him to see when he limps, what it did before he started limping, how long it lasts etc. We knew that Jax's limp was different from Ozzy's pretty quickly.
Lyn
He doesnt limp all the time.
Its very sparatic, it also is on his front right leg and not the rear. I would assume my breeder is reputable, he did come with a health guarantee and I took him to a bulldog specialist vet and he checked out with flying colors. My breeder also did some things I've never seen done, which I like. I received a picture album with pics from his date of birth until now, as well as pictures of his parents, grandparents, great gp, and great great gp. As well as like a lineage paper. What other foods should I try, should I just mix them? I know change in the diet can wreak havoc on his digestive system. I guess I could have been more descriptive in my OP.
Ahhh yes lots better :)
I'm glad your breeder seems reputable, you hear so many horror stories :( and I sometimes jump to (incorrect) conclusions LOL -
I'm not sure what food to feed a puppy - but we have Gizmo on Blue Buffalo 'Wilderness' GrainFree Salmon -
Last steps taken May 26, 2014 -- Been rolling along ever since . . . .
"Am I being overly protective becuase I spent so much on a dog?
No, you are not. Welcome to life with a bulldog. We are all obsessed.
Congratulations on your puppy. Like kids, puppies run around and sometimes get an owie. Unless this happens quite often or the limp persists, this is nothing to worry about.
since monday..
He has become a cherished member of the family. We absolutely adore him. I'm 30 years old and I've always wanted a bully and I never knew what I was missing out on!
I've said it before and I'll say it again...
You're a gonner! Welcome to the wonderful and wacky world of bulldog ownership!
You won't ever be without
a bulldog once you own one. They are so special!
Congrats! I echo Jacinda. He has likely stressed his muscles. When I moved into my new townhouse Kohl (who has never limped) started limping some. I was worried because we have 3 floors so there are stairs the dogs weren't used to. And I've already had 2 bulldogs over the years that have had to have CCL surgeries. Thankfully all the limping went away in a few days and no problems since. He takes the stairs 2 at a time going up, Silly dog!