Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 9/2/2007

Question
I've read some great replys by Labman that you might want to change your puppy ( I have a 17 week old Labrador) from Puppy Chow to Adult food to slow the growth to slow and develope the bones better.  I have mine currently on Purina Puppy one.  He is 17 weeks old and about 32 pounds. What are your thoughts on this.  Also what amount do you recommend for feeding a 17 week old?  I feed 2 times a day.
I'm really trying to be careful, we have a 9 1/2 year old lab that had Cruciate ligament surgery 3 years ago and I think part of his problem was growing to fast when he was a pup. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Kind Regards, Lisa

Answer
Yes, we have known for at least 10 years that too much protein and calcium in puppy diets fed to large breed dogs results in "Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy" or HOD.  Many of the dog food manufacturers have come out with puppy food for large breed dogs. It has also been theorized that vaccines may cause this problem as well.