Ese: Growth "Pattern"

[Miyax]

Jeannie if this should go into a different forum catagory, please feel free to move it there.

Ese is now 8-months and 12 days old. Since December, his back end has been higher than his front end. This concerned me at first, but when the owner of Teddy (Newf pal from the park) saw Ese he said, "I see he's got the "back-end slope" thing going on." I said I was worried about it and he said, "Teddy did the same thing and then evened out at a year old. It freaked me out too. But, my friends that have large breed dogs said that it's a pretty common growth pattern for large/giant breed dogs." I met an owner of two Mastiffs (gorgeous male and female) who, upon seeing Ese said, "Ohhhh, he's got the "see-saw" look! Garcia did that. How old is he?" We talked and she told me Garcia evened out at about 11 months.

I'd like some Newf owner experience here. Anyone have dogs that went through this kind of growth "pattern" (for lack of a better word)? My vet, soon to be former (a whole 'nother can of worms), said she was very concerned about this during our last visit. She said it's "likely" that the growth could arrest with the front still shorter than the back. So now I'm a little freaked out again.

------------------
A tribute to his Newfoundland:
"... beauty without vanity
strength without insolence
courage without ferocity
and all the virtues of man without his vices"
- Lord Byron, 1808

 

[bridge2itnf@aol.com]

Tuggs back was a litte
higher than the front but now is even. I dont see a concern i think he will catch up. all i know is that tuggs did.
Bridget
----------------------
Until We Newf Again

 

[Greg L]

I don't remember/didn't notice/didn't worry about it with any of mine. So I'm no help from personal experience.

Other people that you've talked to with the same type of dogs have told you not to worry about it and give it a few more months. You're vet, as you've discovered, tends to blow smoke out of her various orifices in an attempt to shut you up/make herself seem all knowing (from the impression that you've given in other posts). In this case, advice from people in the park may be worth more than the vet's. Of course this could also be something to bring up during your new vet search. When interviewing people it is always good to ask someone something that you know the answer to/havee information on to see what their reaction is.

Greg

 

[kzdz]

At 9 mo., Quark's rear is slightly higher than his shoulders. I never really noticed with Morgan, but when Quark was little I remember reading somewhere that it's common for large breed dogs to grow in a "see-saw" pattern. Sometimes butt higher, sometimes shoulders higher. I wouldn't worry at this point.

 

[windyhill]

Aha! Now if anyone comments on my derriere I can say, "Oh, I'm just growing in a see-saw pattern." OK, it's early and I need to shut-up. Valuable information...I'd never heard of this, thanks.

 

[Jeannie]

I would not worry. Having been a horse trainer for years that is how horses grow--one end then the other. I have heard that giant breed dog doing the same thing and it is normal.

------------------
Jeannie and the rescues
Sara, Samantha and Panda
www.newfland.com

 

[mollysmom]

Hmmm, Molly is close to the six month mark, and I am just now starting to notice that her butt is just a little higher than the front. Kind of funny looking. I've decided that I'm not going to worry about anything that happens to Molly orthopedic/wise until she's older. I could drive myself buggy with worry watching her get up slowly, watching her walk stiffly after lying down outside on the ground for too long, watching her turn around in a sitting position, rather than standing and turning. I've discussed all these problems with my vet who I have absolute trust in (14 years of her caring and excellent advice) She says ignore, ignore, ignore, just make sure I tell her. She says Molly's bones ache most of the time because she's growing so quickly (and she is). What I am seeing is her response to the discomfort and is to be expected in giant breeds. This does not have any bearing on whether she has displasia or not.(my worst nightmare) We won't have an answer to that question for a long while yet.

So, I put my trust in my vet and my breeder who says the same thing, and just let things be.

I've been reading what your vet has said to you in the past, and I think she's awful. I hope you find some one you can trust soon. Worrying about our babies is natural, but to have your vet planting more worries in your mind is terrible. I'd dump her in a heartbeat! Linda

 

[Miyax]

Thanks gang! I really really appreciate all of the input!

------------------
A tribute to his Newfoundland:
"... beauty without vanity
strength without insolence
courage without ferocity
and all the virtues of man without his vices"
- Lord Byron, 1808

 

[Spangksb]

I have to remind myself everyday to start thinking like Molly's Mom ("So, I put my trust in my vet and my breeder who says the same thing, and just let things be.") I have been driving myself buggy and have taken Zoe to the vet three times because I worry about her movement. They always say she is young and to wait and see. The breeder agrees. She did suggest that we limit her exercise because we were walking her quite a bit. Everyone says her body is growing fast and she will be fine. X-rays at this point would not be indicative of her future condition because her bones haven't calcified yet.

I am glad to read that others are as neurotic as I am...

I am going to heed everyone's advice and just pretend I don't notice that she is stiff and limps and struggles to get up from laying down. This is a growth spurt. BTW, she is now 6 months old and weighs about 70 lbs.

Thanks for the comfort in knowing that I am not alone!



[This message has been edited by Spangksb (edited 03-03-2002).]

 

[Kodiak]

At 10 months of age Kodi's rear is higher than his front. Looks kind of strange looking, but I guess it's normal with the giant breeds. Thanks Miyax for starting the topic

Brenda

 

[DennisL]

I'm really glad to see this topic come up ....Wesley is approaching 9 months and is finally beginning to move out of this terrible to watch stiffness and limping stage. Sometimes he couldn't even get up ...we would have to help him....and sometimes we would hear these little wimpers..then the kids would start tearing up .......

Wes is our third newfie and each puppy went through this (it goes away and they do fine). If there is a "good" aspect to think about ...once they feel better .... you have a 100 lb puppy who has lots of play time to catch up on!!!!!!

Fortunately we have the sweetest vet ...I hate to think how many times my wife and oldest daughter called. If this is any indication ...the vet calls us each Saturday morning to check in and see how he is doing

.

Oh ....btw ....all of our newfies see-sawed (I like that terminology

Right now Wesley is significantly rear end high !

[This message has been edited by DennisL (edited 03-03-2002).]

 

[DennisL]

Oh cool ......just noticed I'm a Pack Member now ..... WhooHooooo!

 

[Miyax]

Again, thank you guys so much for your input!

I'm tickled to death that I broached a topic that was of interest and/or concern to others and that they could find some solace as well! Lord knows I've learned enough from this place. Even if it's in a round-about way, it was kind of cool to know I brought more information to others.

And, Spangksb, I'm with you. Mollysmom and her vet have the right mindset. Also, very very interesting to note that your vet said any x-rays maybe inconclusive anyway because the bones have not yet calcified.

Dennis: I'm really glad Wesley is feeling better! You're vet sounds very cool too! It's even more reassuring for a first time Newf Mom to know that you've had three Newfs go through the very same sort of growth pattern.

You lucky guys and your wonderful vets! Please wish me good luck on my search to find Ese a new vet (a whole nother ball of wax ... and quite depressing too.)

Thanks again!

------------------
A tribute to his Newfoundland:
"... beauty without vanity
strength without insolence
courage without ferocity
and all the virtues of man without his vices"
- Lord Byron, 1808

 

[Sunny]

hi. Tica grew back end first in spirts from the begining; first I would notice the back end higher then even then higher then even. went on from about 5 months until about 20 months. the last one lasting about three months until her front end caught up. haven't noticed any growth spirts in the last 4 months and she will be two this month.

 

[Miyax]

Thanks Sunny! Very reassuring! How is Tica doing by the way? I've been thinking about you and her a lot.

------------------
A tribute to his Newfoundland:
"... beauty without vanity
strength without insolence
courage without ferocity
and all the virtues of man without his vices"
- Lord Byron, 1808

 

[mollysmom]

I'm relieved to see these responses too. Just more confirmation to stop worrying and enjoy. Afterall, I AM a mother, and it's my job to worry! Maybe we can do this again in about a month and a half? I'm sure I'll be back into the worry mode full steam by then. LOL. Linda