Chihuahua congenital bowed legs?

Question

I have a chihuahua I recently got from a friend of mine, who got her from the humane society. She is a sweet little girl, perfectly healthy. I took her to the vet because she has bowed legs (Im not sure if its luxated patella, because its congenital but I guess if it can be something they can be born with this is it). She's only a year and a half, they dont cause her any pain she runs and plays and whatnot, but I remember my friend mentioned she might need surgery. The vet said that as long as her weight stays normal (She's only 5 lbs and thats cause I fed her like hell because you could see her spine) she should lead a normal life and be ok. My question is for other owners of toy breeds like chis or poms, have you had this issue? Did you just let them go on with life, or did you go for the surgery? I dont want to put her through a major surgery if its not absolutely necessary, but If its something that will help her for later I'd rather do it now. Any advice would be greatly appreciat

Thank you so much for all of your responses and help! I probably won't do the surgery as I worry about how she will take it and she's perfectly fine now. To clarify, however, I am not 100% sure what the doctor said it was other than a condition she was born with, not caused by any outside conditions. I mentioned luxated patella because I have read alot of smaller dogs are affected by that. Thank you again!

Answer 1

I would defer to your vet about this. We get our share of congenital birth defects from the puppy mills we shut down. The situation you describe is one of them. I would think the vet would have advised if he felt surgery would really help. Probably not if congenital. We have a little long hair chi right now with that problem. Make sure you do not let her try to dance around on her back legs, like for a treat. Ours is a young pup so we do some strengthening exercises with her little back legs to help.

This and other defects are being seen more and more as everyone and his uncle is out there breeding dogs to make a buck.

Just love her like she is. Do make sure she is on the best nutrition you can afford to make for strong bones, etc.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I have five Chi's and two of them are bowed legs. They are currently both ten years old and have never shown any signs of discomfort. They are both really play full dogs that love to jump on anything. So I say if there is no medical necessity I would not bother putting these tiny dogs through that type of surgery. Just watch it over the years if it starts bothering her then do the surgery. It is a common defect in Chi's.

Answer 4

If it doesn't bother her I would not put her through the surgery. Their little legs are very small and she could end up being crippled if she doesn't heal well. Later if she has some problems then worry about the surgey and be sure she gets a good surgeon who has done that surger a million times.
If later you decide on the surgery put her on a really fabulous diet at least 4 to 6 months before her surgery so she will heal well.

Answer 5

I have a teacup Chihuahua that I got from the shelter that I volunteer at. She walks on her elbows that have atrophy and they are fused in that position.I take her to an animal Chiroprator who keeps her spine straight. The vet said she is in no pain.She was born this way and she doesn't know any different.I was told to keep her weight down also to keep the extra weight off her elbows. I am not going to put her through unneccessary surgery that she doesn't need.
Psst...Don't tell her she is handicapped. We just tell her she is special and perfect just the way she is. The Yahoo picture that you see is my Little Roo.
She can walk and run (hop). I keep her on grass and carpet only no hard surfaces to damage her elbows.

Answer 6

What was the diagnosis from the vet?

Chis don't usually have bowed legs. And it would be unusual for patellas to cause that. I am curious as to what the vet said? It is possible she was malnourished or even is a mix.
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I just read the other answers........ None of my chis have bowed legs, nor have I seen a healthy one with bowed legs. Are you all talking about problems from undernourishment or congenital issues? I have never seen chis with bowed legs unless they weren't fed correctly.

Answer 7

Alot of Chi's are bow legged....unless she is in pain and its bothering her to run and play or walk, I would not do the surgery. Little dogs do not cope well with surgery.

Answer 8

Medium duration hair because it is easy to handle and you can still carry out most of the hairstyles

Answer 9

yes i have had that problem not only in toy breeds one of the reasons dogs get bowlegged is poor nutrition when they are growing up. get some dog vitamins it might help but i think its to late now shell be OK keep her on a good diet!

Answer 10

I've experienced mine both ways too... but my husband prefers it short... he never complains when I grow it very long, but is always all over themself w/the complements when I cut it off