Bowed Legs, Knuckling Over in Puppies - Puppy Feed Program

UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM:

YOUR PUPPY SHOULD NOT BE KEPT ON SOLID CONCRETE, TILE OR WOODEN FLOORS WHERE THERE IS NO SURFACE TEXTURE FOR THEM TO GRIP WITH THEIR TOES, AND USE THEIR MUSCLES, LIGAMENTS AND TENDONS PROPERLY.

REMEMBER THE FRONT END OF A DOG SUPPORTS THE BODY WEIGHT, THE REAR PROPELS THE MOTION, SO THE FRONT END MUST HAVE TRACTION.

SLICK SURFACES ALONG WITH LACK OF EXERCISE AND NUTRITIONAL MONITORING, WILL CONTRIBUTE TO "BOWING IN" AND "KNUCKLING OVER" ON YOUR PUPPIE'S FRONT END ASSEMBLY.

WHILE YOUR DOG IS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT (UNDER 6 MONTHS), IT IS BEST TO PURCHASE RUBBER-BACKED THROW RUGS (NO FRINGE AND NO CONTINUOUS LOOP CARPETING, IN CASE THE CHEW IT), SO THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO GRIP WHEN WALKING AROUND, AND YOU CAN WASH THEM WHEN NEEDED.

JC PENNEY'S AND KOHLS HAVE GREAT BUYS ON THESE KIND OF RUGS FOUND IN THE BATH SECTION OF THEIR WEBSITE OR STORES. ANOTHER SOUCE IS THE LOCAL GOODWILL OR MISSION STORE. REMEMBER, NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO WORRY ABOUT "DECORATING" YOUR HOME, YOU PURCHASED A PUPPY AND NOW IT'S NEEDS MUST BE MET, MUCH LIKE HAVING TO HOUSE-PROOF YOUR HOME FOR A TODDLER.

Can We Fix This? ....YES, We Can

Nadya Before (left)
(middle) - Nadya after 2 weeks on program
(right) Nadya at 2 years old - beautiful straight legs!

This program is for a puppy that has problems with bowing or knuckling (carpel flexural deformity) causing to uneven growth patterns between the bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. This problem applies to all breeds not just large/giant breeds!!

To correct this problem we correct the diet, control the amount fed, keep them off slick surfaces and use the Blackwatch Feed Program - HOD Help Kit#5 which includes supplements for mal absorption and for diets lacking in usable nutrition. Nadya above is a typical example of this problem and if caught early can be corrected with no surgery necessary.

Start with switching the dog's food (info below) and do so fairly quickly. The younger the dog the easier it iso do. The goal is to get your puppy on to the foods I recommend by the 3rd meal.

Your dogs may need to be wrapped with vet wrap tape or ace bandages (do not use the little metal clip or safety pins, use only a piece of duct tape to secure it in case the dog chews it off. You vet can help you wrap the legs. Here are some examples of puppies before and after of how to wrap - Support Wrap and Knuckling and Bowing Examples 2.

Here is a resource for leg wraps and supports for serious problems on dogs over 12 weeks that can not be taken care of with normal vet wrap bandages contact the www.orthovet.com or http://www.dogleggs.com. Generally these kinds of braces are only needed for dogs over 5 months of age.

For dogs with cruciate ligament problems there are now braces available to you from this website:www.woundwear.com

Note: All photographs sent to me will become the property of Blackwatch Nutritional Consulting LLC and can be used for educational purposes; website, seminars, publications, videos, books. All names will be changed and photos cropped so as not to compromise the integrity of the owner or breeder.

What to Feed My Puppy and What Supplements Are needed to correct This problem?

To correct this problem switch to Precise Holistic Complete Large/Giant Breed Formula which is a 23% protein/ 12% fat food which means a slower more even growth when fed in the proper amounts (see below).

When switching to Precise Holistic Complete L/G Puppy Formula, do so quickly by starting with a 50/50 mix for the first feeding, then 100% of the new PHC Large/Giant Puppy Formula at the next feeding.

DO NOT MIX DOG FOOD BRANDS PAST THE FIRST DAY. It's important to use probiotics when switching food so they do not get loose stools. So in the meantime, until your kit arrives, buy a bottle of Sustenix from the "digestion" section at Walgreens or Walmart and dose for and adult human.

Until you have your Precise food, what ever food you are on, cut back the amount you are feeding!

If you can not locate the Precise Holistic Complete Large/Giant Puppy Formula, you can use one of the Precise Holistic Complete "Wild at Heart Kibbles" because they are all life stage formulas and will support growth.

HELP, What If I Can't Find Precise Foods?

Here is my backup brand of pet food if you can not locate PRECISE FOODS, for
cases involving bowing and knuckling over, use the:

Pure Vita Chicken/Rice Formula - 24 % protein -13% fat OR

Nutri Source Adult Formula (that is their regular adult formula, not large breed) which has a 26% protein - 16% fat, but only 370 calories per cup and 1.4% calcium which supports giant breed growth.

Amount to Feed Chart:

Giant Breed Puppies use the mid- range and for Large Breeds Puppies
use the low end on the chart - the numbers marked in Green

2 months - 2-4 cups per day - (divided into 3 meals daily)
3 months - 3-5 cups per day - (divided into 2 meals daily)
4 months - 4-6 cups per day - (divided into 2 meals daily)
5 months - 5-7 cups per day - (divided into 2 meals daily
6 months - 6-8 cups per day - (divided into 2 meals daily)

COMPLETE CHART - AMOUNT TO FEED CHART . (print this out)

Let's Take A Look

Here are some other images of different breeds where Knuckling Over/Bowing is a problem, this is not genetic, this is a nutritional/management problem and caught early enough it can be repaired.

Most vets do not understand this issue because they have minimal or no training in small animal nutrition and little experience in large/giant breed growth patterns. If you see no improvement within a 2-3 days of being on this total nutritional program, or the dog is worse, then you need to discuss wrapping the joints for support.

In most cases we have to support the legs with wrapping or supports. I have listed two commercially made braces below, but before you purchase, look at the taping examples in this article Knuckling/Bowing and Taping Examples.

Please take photos daily of the dog's legs and send them to me, and if I am available, we can discuss the options you have to take back and discuss with your vet. If you do not hear from me within 2 days, they you will have to make the decision along with your vet, and put this program into effect.

Send in a JPG format to: GrDaneLady@aol.com

Again, is a resource for leg wraps and supports for serious problems that can not be taken care of with normal vet wrap tape
http://www.dogleggs.com/or www.orthovet.com

Order the Blackwatch Feed Program - HOD Kit#5

How To Introduce HOD Kit #5

Day 1 - Start with the MSM and the Spark of Life in the Morning and Evening

Day 2 - Continue the MSM and Spark of Life and add the 4 in 1 Probiotic - Morning

Day 3 - Continue the MSM and Spark of Life and add the 4 in 1 Probiotic - Morning
Day 3 - Introduce the Level 5000 joint supplement - Evening

Day 4 - Continue the MSM and Spark of Life and add the 4 in 1 Probiotic - Morning
Day 4 - Introduce the Level 5000 joint supplement - Evening

Day 5 - Continue the MSM and Spark of Life and add the 4 in 1 Probiotic - Morning
Day 5 - Introduce the Level 5000 joint support and Nzymes granular -- Evening

Day 6 and there after: MSM and Spark of Life and 4 in 1 Probiotic - Morning
Day 6 and there after: Level 5000 joint support and Nzymes granular -- Evening

Continue with this routine until Kit#5 is used up. Then you can switch over to the Puppy Kit#3 until 12 months of age.

After 12 month move to the CORE 4 Wellness Kit #39 for Joint Support- these are the Blackwatch Programs for life long wellness!

www.firstchoicenaturals.com

FUNCTION OF THE Supplements in #5 hod kIT.

1) MSM-nutritional sulfur - dosage is on the container. .It is my understanding from reading the patent info and discussing this with Vita-Flex the oldest distributor of MSM, that this is the recommended dosage and it is my experience that this helps to level out the uneven growth spurts the dog has gone through. Vita-Flex MSM corrects mal absorption of other nutrients such as minerals whose imbalance relate to problems such as osteochondrosis (HOD, OCD, Pano). It also helps with pain and inflammation.

2) 4 in 1 Probiotics - (multiple cultures/digestive enzymes/Ester C and Barley Grass)

3). Spark of Life Trace Minerals - all commercial diets on the market are missing critical micro-minerals necessary to make proper bone and run the body's electrical system. Often unusable or lacking micro-minerals are at the core of many developmental orthopedic problems.

4). Liquid joint support supplement - Level 5000 Joint Support

5).Nzymes - these dietary enzymes that are natural anti-inflammatory - and important in you not having to use risky medicine like Rimydal. Nzymes are part of every one of my comprehensive feed programs so you will need these anyway, when you switch to the whole program for the life of your dog. Nzymes come in pet treats or granular. If you have more than one dog, the granular goes further.

Once your dog is through the HOD Kit#5, you can move to the CORE 4 Kit #39 For Joint Support - for a life long maintenance program.

Safe Dietary Options for Variety:

To make a gravy you can use a Precise canned meats, or homemade vegetable soups. Use a little canned meat and mix with water for a gravy.

Another option you can use is Honest Kitchen dehydrated raw dog food, it is what I use to provide a 10% raw component to my dogs Precise kibble. It is balanced in calcium and phosphorus ratios which are very important in growing and elderly dogs!

I use the EMBARK, FORCE,VIGOR, KEEN ect. which has a raw organic turkey or chicken, fruits and veggies and sometimes I will use PREFERENCE, which is strictly fruits/veggies and herbs.

EMBARK 29% protein - 16% fat - Organic Turkey, Flaxseed, Potatoes, Celery, Spinach, Carrots, Coconut, Apples, Kelp, Eggs, Sesame Seeds, Bananas, Cranberries, Rosemary.

PREFERENCE: 12% protein 5 % fat - Alfalfa, sweet potatoes, cabbage, celery, apples, spinach, organic kelp, coconut, bananas, zucchini, and honey.

One- 4 lb bag will make up to 17 lbs of moist meat/fruits and veggies and if used to top dress your kibble you can see it goes a long way. The Honest Kitchen dog food and Eagle Pet Foods are endorsed by the Whole Dog Journal.

To order call go to www.firstchoicenaturals.com

Amounts I use of Honest Kitchen :

8-10- weeks - 1 Tablespoon each meal
11-16 weeks - 4-Tablespoons divided AM and PM meal
5 - 6 mo - 1/4 cup AM and PM
7 - 8 mo 1/4 - 1/2 cup 1 AM and PM meal
9 mo - Adults - 1/2 daily - 1 cup Divided AM and PM

IF you want to do your own fruits and veggies here are some suggestions

FRUITS &VEGETABLE: This is a list of recommended foods to use in moderation:

yogurt, buttermilk berries melons, apples, banana, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, oranges, squash, sweet potato, green beans, zucchini - minced/diced/raw/cooked - they love frozen berries and melon balls!! Pulverized fresh veggies are best for digestion. NO raw onions, grapes or raisins, macadamia nuts.
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Linda's Very Veggie Soup - 2 large cans of chicken or beef broth - (low sodium for heart or elderly dogs- or homemade). Add LOTS of veggies - carrots, green beans, wax beans, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and couple cloves of garlic. The idea is to use this as the filler so you want it to be hearty and filling.

DO NOT SOAK KIBBLE AND LET SET, OR USE HOT WATER ON YOUR KIBBLE IT WILL DESTROY THE INTEGRITY OF THE NUTRIENTS AND PROBIOTICS, WHICH ARE THE FRIENDLY BACTERIA THAT IS ON THE FOOD.

Drinking Water:

WATER ON KIBBLE - on little puppies you want to use about 1/8 cup and older puppies 1/4 cup water + 3-4 tablespoons canned meat. You want the food moist but not floating and sloppy (this is for large/giant breeds, reduce amount for smaller breeds accordingly). Do not microwave, soak or use hot or very warm water on your kibble. It will destroy the integrity of the friendly yogurt type cultures and the fragile vitamins/minerals and amino acids on the food.

It is very important to NEVER withhold water from your dog. This can lead to over consumption and bladder infections. Use common sense, do not let them drink excessively after exercise or dinner. Like a horse, let them cool down and then drink. I have found if I have water available in several places, they never overdo it since they know it is available to them when they need it. That way they drink less amounts of water, but more frequently.

Withholding water for fear of bloat is a myth. Stress is the cause and bloat/torsion is the response. It is much more complicated that simply saying water is the cause of bloat.

(See my article on Bloat and Torsion for details)

Additional Support Information:

Go here for Spay and Neuter information

Go here for Demodex, Acne, Vaginal Discharge on Puppies

Go here for anal gland problems

Puppy Guidelines - what toys, bowls and crates to use

Go here: For other articles that pertain to Puppy Handbook

Puppy Feed Program for Knuckling Over