Are my dog's bowed legs carpal valgus? Do Labradors get it too?

I won't be able to tell you if it was a genetic condition or nutrition at this point. At almost 3 years old, Danny is done growing, the limb deformity shouldn't get worse but it won't get better. It does predispose him to develop arthritis in his front legs. It is not related to tile flooring, but in dogs that are still growing, non-slip floor may prevent it from being too bad. Truth is, we just don't have enough information on the cause, prevention, or treatment to say with any certainty. If Danny is on a good quality dog food, he should not need extra supplements. Some large breed dogs could actually be harmed by changing the minerals in their diet since it can negatively affect bone growth. Any dog breed could develop it, including labradors.

This can be from his genetics or breeding or can develop after an injury. Splinting the carpus will help prevent the condition from worsening when used during exercise but will not correct the problem. Yes the X-rays show a valgus deformity. This is a dog I would not breed since you don’t want to take the chance of this being passed on to the puppies. I recommend a consult with a board certified orthopedic surgeon to see if there is corrective surgery or any rehabilitation treatment they recommend. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Danny.

At his age, Danny is likely done growing. Having a valgas deformity will predispose him to developing arthritis or other joint issues later in life, but should not affect his lifespan. There are treatment options you can discuss with your veterinarian or a veterinary orthopedic specialist.

From the pictures, it looks like Bruno is suffering from valgus deformity of his front legs. This is when there is a lateral (outward) turn of the feet. It occurs when the ulna stops growing while the radius continues to grow, causing the radius to begin bowing at the top and rotating outward. This is can cause discomfort to Bruno and it is something that can be fixed surgically. You can speak to your vet about surgical treatment of this deformity.

It looks like Charlie could have some carpal valgus, usually due to a joint deformity that causes bowing of the front legs. There is an increased risk for arthritis in dogs with joint valgus, although some dogs go through their lives with no symptoms. I would watch for limping, stiffness, or reluctance to use stairs or jump which could signify pain due to arthritis. While there is no cure for arthritis the symptoms can be alleviated with pain medications and supplements. Continuing the glucosamine is a great idea, and I would recommend trying to keep Charlie pretty lean since being overweight can make joint issues worse.

Hello, Based on your description, Loki may have what we refer to as a valgus deformity or angular limb deformity. It is a bone malformation some pets are born with, and it can be corrected with surgery. Follow up with your veterinarian to discuss options

If it is congenital, there may be no cure or Kuky may require multiple surgeries. A nutritional deficiency may be corrected, but it is possible he will also be bow legged. You would need to have him physically examined by your veterinarian or a veterinary orthopedic specialist to make the determination.