Why is my Bernese puppy struggling to get up and so laid back?

Until you get a full diagnosis it would be inappropriate to speculate. It would be recommended in all giant breeds to feed a high quality large/giant breed puppy food which should already be enriched with glucosamine etc, to prevent excess weight gain or rapid growth and to limit strenuous exercise until bones are fully developed. Keep her on complete rest with only short, toilet walks until this can be fully investigated

Ruby could be have hypertrophic osteodystrophy, which is a disease of the front limbs of large and giant breed dogs. It causes sudden lameness, and yes I would take her into the vet today. The vet can do x-rays to confirm she has hypertrophic osteodystrophy. It typically resolves on it's own, but she would benefit from some anti-inflammatory medication for the pain, and likely needs cage rest.

Hello, sorry to hear about Leo. It could be that he is showing early signs of hips dysplasia. Other problems, could include that he has some form of bone disease which could be associated with his nutrition. If Leo does have some form of orthopedic disease, he may require to be at a lean body weight throughout his life. The best way to diagnose these disease is by obtaining x-rays and an orthopedic exam. Please contact your local veterinarian if he continues to have have a hard time sitting and getting up then have him evaluated immediately. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Hello. It is impossible to try & diagnose Bonnie's problems without a full exam. You see, some very large breed puppies can have issues with their bones & joints, something similar to growing pains in children. She may also have early issues with hip or even elbow dysplasia. She should be evaluated at your earliest convenience so that the proper diagnosis can be made. Once this has been done, medications, diet, environmental changes will all be looked at to try & help Bonnie grow into the healthiest puppy possible. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Benelly! If it doesn't resolve with rest I would have him looked at by your Vet. Possibilities are a back strain or sprain, Lyme disease, or hip dysplasia. An exam and hip X-rays could help determine what might be going on. Try resting him for a few days and if there is no improvement have him seen early next week. I wish Benelly a speedy recovery!

It is vital to have an active growing puppy on a specialised, large breed puppy food, especially if there is evidence of any growing pains or irregularities. A tight balance of minerals (especially calcium and phosphorous) as well as vitamin d, protein levels and energy levels will promote healthy growth and development. An unbalanced or inappropriate diet can lead to over rapid growth of bone, cartilage or muscle and development of muscle and bone development issues. If there is any pain or discomfort you should have a full vet check arranged as soon as possible to rule out inflammation or injury

It sounds like Apollo overdid it. I recommend resting him for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take him out to toilet on a leash, and bring him right back in when he's done. If he still appears painful after this time, then I would take him into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. He may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give him any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given.