Should I buy an 8-week Frenchie puppy with weak legs and a pot belly?

I would not recommend purchasing such a puppy prior to repair and full recovery. I would be concerned not only about surgical repair and recovery but where one external birth defect is present, additional internal defects are often detected as a pup matures also

I would be concerned about purchasing the puppy with such a history, there is a possibility it may be an indication of additions issues such as swallowing difficulties, weakened immune system or other internal causes, especially if this pup is smaller than the siblings

Thank you for more information on Boogie! Hemivertebrae can be common in brachycephalic (short nosed) dogs such as the French Bulldog. It is when the bones of the spinal column are abnormally shaped. This leads to the bones not aligning correctly with their neighboring bones, and this in turn causes damage and compression of the spinal nerves. This isn't something that correct itself as he grows unfortunately. It most commonly affects young dogs because the problems arise as their skeleton grows. Without surgery, the skeletal deformity is permanent. It is best that Boogie has the MRI as soon as possible so this condition can be definitely diagnosed and he can be treated. This condition can severely limit both the quality and length of life, so it's important to have it diagnosed early so it can be treated as needed. I hope this helps!

Hello, It's possible R has swimmer's syndrome or any number of anatomical deformities. I'd recommend an x-ray and a physical exam from a veterinarian to evaluate further. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Poor Pierre! The signs you are describing are unlikely to be related to his previously broken leg. It is definitely concerning that he cannot stand, this can be due to ingestion of a toxin (such as human food he should not have or human medications), or a serious intestinal condition such as foreign body obstruction. I recommend having Pierre seen by a vet right away, as he may need stabilization and supportive care. I hope all is well!

Hind leg hobbles are very rarely needed in young puppies. However, swimmer puppies can benefit from hobbles if they're carefully and properly placed. An inherited cause of a flat chest (pectus excavatum) is not the same thing as being a swimmer puppy and will not resolve with hobbles. You should never tape your puppy's legs unless it's under the direct guidance of your veterinarian. It's surprisingly easy to place the tape too tightly and cut off blood supply to the legs, causing more serious problems. Swimmer puppies typically require at least a month or two of treatment with hobbles, stable footing with good traction and physical therapy under the close care of a veterinarian. At this point, your best option is to take Tutina to her veterinarian for further evaluation. I hope that all goes well!

Hip dysplasia can only be positively diagnosed with x-rays. There are certain indicators that can be noted on a physical exam, but they can only be considered supportive of the actual radiographic diagnosis. I would have his leg looked at and examined for fractures, evidence of soft tissue injuries, or as you have mentioned, evidence of hip imperfections. Based on the nature of the injury, the solution to the problem maybe something as simple as rest or medical therapy, or as complex as surgical procedures. Hope this helps.