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Expert: - 5/22/2010


Question
I have a 4month old GSD puppy, while playing with me his front (left)leg got hit to a table & he started limping, then i went for an X-ray & the Dr. told me he is having a hair line crack. After consulting my vet he has put the leg on plaster to be removed after 14days. Is that ok or something else i need to do?
besides regular doses of vimeral(multi vitamin)& osteopet, he is also being given domadol 50mg/ twice daily & caldiz/ twice daily.
Is it ok or i need to do something...plz suggest me.

Answer
I am not sure what caldiz or domadol (must be Indian brands) is but don't supplement this puppy with ANY kind of calcium supplement. Vitamin supplements might be ok if he is eating cheaper food. We recommend only Hills Science Diet Large Breed Puppy growth and NO supplements at all. Then we transition them to large breed adult. Way less hip dysplasia.

Studies have shown that the more you "boost" calcium levels in large breed dogs the greater the chances are of them having hip dysplasia as they grow up.

Too much calcium/phosphorus and the wrong ratio contribute to this. The thinking years and years ago was that this was a way to make strong bones but it resulted in deformities in these dogs and broken down hips at a young age.

Just give him light exercise if the vet says he can walk, and no rough housing. Once the cast is off start him with light walking and work it up slowly to medium then longer walks.

Hairline fractures will heal easily and completely as long as the dog is rested enough. I have a 12 yr old that had a hair line fx in her left rear tibia and she is fine. Never would know she ever had it.

I think he will be just fine as long as you follow the vets recommendations.

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

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PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

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I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

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Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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