Terrible Mum...

[TayloredEq]

Ok, so the GSD's that I took on a week ago are doing really well. They have grown loads and have really livened up. Anyway I was putting them all out yesterday morning to go to the loo and I trod on one of the little blighters.

So I'm feeling really bad and then even more so when I realise that he doesn't want to put his leg on the floor. So I picked him up and gave him a cuddle till he stopped crying, and popped him on the floor. He was still holding his leg up - right from the hip.

So I kept hold of him for a bit longer and then put him on the floor inside and slowly slowly he started to use the leg again.

Now, I know that hips are one of the weaker areas of a big dog and I am now worrying that there might be some long term damage. The REALLY bad thing is that I can't tell which puppy it was I trod on - there are 2 that look identical. My Mum thinks one of them still looks weak behind, but to be honest they are 5 weeks old - they all look wobbly behind.

So - do I leave him and see how it goes - there is no sign of any pain and I can move both puppies back legs fine. OR do I call my vet? Or do I phone my mctimoney chiropractor who does my horses as she also does dogs and breeds border collies?

Ideas please....

 

[MurphysMinder]

If you can't see one which is obviously lame then I wouldn't worry too much. I have trodden on young pups before now

, and although they make a terrible fuss at the time it is usually forgotten with a cuddle. As you say 5 week old pups look a bit wobbly on their legs anyhow. Just keep an eye on things and if you do think he is lame maybe a quick visit to the vet. Glad they are doing well, have you got any piccies of them ?

 

[FinnishLapphund]

I'd be a little bit worried that it took some time before he started using it, but how long did you hold him? Are we talking a minute or two, or are we talking ten minutes and he still wouldn't use it so you picked him up again?
Statistically I'd say 99% of the puppies that gets stepped on doesn't get any permanent/need vet to get it fixed-damage from it, but that still leaves 1% that does, and though I wish I could help, only you can decide.



What I can tell you, is that I felt really guilty the two times it happened to me, when my Jonna had a litter this summer, and I accidently stept on something attached to a puppy ( though at least one of the times it was more like, puppy comes running from one side, and doesn't notice my foot being 4 cm from the floor and going downward, and me trying to avoid stepping on the two ones running in the other direction towards my feet... ).

But I'm obviously a much more Terrible mum than you

, because I only used an as dashing voice as possible and told them things like "Oh, good girl/boy, you'll get over it", "Oh, well that's exacly what I intended to happen, so get over it, I know best!" or similar. While making a visual check that nothing was dangling or bleeding, and tried to make sure they had some space to calm down ( = not being run over by siblings ).

Then I walked a little bit away from them and had a temporary mental breakdown, being convinced I'd caused some permanent damage...

Hope everything is well with your puppy, from Sweden.

 

[CAYLA]

As MM, suggests, if u cannot tell which pup, I would not worry, it's a very common incident, puppy trodding

, if you had broken foot or done any long term damage

, he would not be weight baring at all, don't beat yourself up, I would squeal if u trod on my foot

 

[CorvusCorax]

What happens when you still manage to stand on them when they are one year old and they are taller than you on their hind legs....