My new rescue girl's legs seem weak, any thoughts.

B

BBH

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 April 2007
Messages
9,357
Visit site
I have had my new girl for just over a week now and her back legs don't seem very strong. I have seen them ' wobble ' when out and last night she was noticeably stiff when she got up.

She doesn't have a lot of muscle tone yet as she was rescued from a breeders where she was kept in a kennel for a year without exercise. The breeder supposedly had a bad back and pushed food and water through the bars.

I am hoping her legs will strengthen as she gets more exercise but I am also worrying it could mean problems ahead. Bull mastiffs are prone to ligament problems.

Any thoughts
 
As she is such a big girl and has been lacking exercise I would think it is just lack of muscle. A bit like a young dog can be unsound until they muscle up, I would just keep an eye on her for now and build up exercise gradually, but if she appears in pain then get yr vet to check her.
 
As MM
My newest collie was approx 6months old very thin, weak, nervous and dirty, think he had lived in a shed and had a diet of porridge/bread and milk before I got him. Exercise was controlled on a lead for several weeks, now he runs like the wind. I was so worried he might be in-bred and have all sorts of problems but (touch wood) his character continues to grow. Some things he never learned like playing with balls or toys but will chew on a marrow bone and now seems well adjusted both physically and mentally.
 
Poor girlie! So glad she has found a good home with you!

Would agree with above, if she is very weak it's worth trying controlled, gradual exercise (swimming would be brilliant if there is somewhere near you) and seeing how she goes.
 
Thankyou all for your thoughts, its put my mind at rest.

I'll continue to let her exercise at her own pace and see how we go. Regarding swimming I do have some river and a little cove on my land so could make use of that. I have just sorted out her insurance and have gone with a top package just incase. I hope I never have to need it though but better safe than sorry.

Again thankyou.
 
Hopefully she just needs time to build up and strengthen.

Erm have I missed something? last I heard your home check had gone well, now you've had her a week? :eek: Where are her piccys? details? (checked your previous posts but couldn't find)
 
www.doggypaddle.co.uk

It's near Bursledon Tescos. Brilliant place. I originally took Harley because he was scared of water, but now he goes just for fun! It's the only place in our area that is a proper pool for them to swim around and play in.
 
mollichop said:
Hopefully she just needs time to build up and strengthen.

Erm have I missed something? last I heard your home check had gone well, now you've had her a week? :eek: Where are her piccys? details? (checked your previous posts but couldn't find)
Click to expand...



LOL I'm rubbish with photo's etc but should deffo get to grips with some. She is the most loving soppy dog in the whole wide world and I can't believe such a girl was ever in need of rescue. Her personality is starting to come out and she's blossoming. She was a skinny minnie but the old JWB is doing wonders. Bulldog boy has had to show her what to do with toys and bones though as she's obviously never had any.
 
Thats a fab recommendation. I would never have known it was there. Much nicer than cold river swimming especially in the winter.Thankyou.
 
LHS said:
Thats a fab recommendation. I would never have known it was there. Much nicer than cold river swimming especially in the winter.Thankyou.
Click to expand...

They have proper hydrotherapists, it's heated and they even wear doggy lifejackets!!! ha ha!
 
Here's a vid of Harley having fun!





He doesn't wear the life jacket any more and he now just fetches the ball for half an hour. They just keep throwing it and throwing it and throwing it! To begin with he didn't feel he could swim and retrieve!! (typical bloke!!! Couldn't deal with 2 things at once!!)
 
LOL do they provide the life jackets ?

My bulldog sinks, he doesn't swim so its not an activity they could do together but i'm sure Bo would love it. I'll call them and see whats what.:D
 
Yes they provide jackets. :)

They also have great doggy showers so H comes home smelling lovely every time while I stay dry!!
 
Echo what everyone else has said :)

Our Goldie got diagnosed with severe HD, and the muscles on her back legs and around her hips were extremely weak (and she was slightly podgy!)
We started hydrotherapy with her and 18 months on, she's walking further, playing for longer, has lost lots of weight but toned up and built up muscle mass :)
it really is a miracle worker in our case!
Thank god she's found such a lovely home with you
K x

ETA - our hydro place provides special canine life jackets or a hoist if the dog cannot keep itself up in the water - ie, for certain breeds such as bulldogs or cavaliers, which have trouble swimming they attach them to the hoist and allow them to swim against the jets being held up by the hoist attached to the ceiling. They also have a shower after their swim and a toy to play with in the water!! :)

Our Misty biting the water as she gets in!!
DSCF6980.jpg

Swimming :)
DSCF6987.jpg
 
Last edited:
It could be several things tbh. I would also go for swimming as the best exercise for your mastiff at the moment. Both mine are swimming weekly in a hydrotherapy pool. Emma is a bit weak behind so we must muscle her up without putting strain on her joints and Tojo is getting a bit stiff in his old age.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top