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My 3-week-old puppy has a leg turning out and feels loose. What to do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | unspayed

My chihuahua had puppys 3 weeks ago and as they are now trying to walk round i have noticed that one of them as a outward turning front leg the shoulder joint compared to the other side feels lose and the elbow is enlarged compared to the other side not sure if much can be done at this age but wanting to know what is best to do for her thank you

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Chad Brown, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 5th, 2018

Congratulations on your new puppies.

As you were describing how one of them was walking, I began to think that either there has been trauma to that specific leg either buy mom accidentally rolling over on the puppy, etc. or there may even be a genetic growth disorder that is affecting the specific puppy.

Actally there is still that a lot that can be done for pets this young in terms of veterinary care. Perhaps a small splint can be applied or maybe there is a nutritional deficiency that is causing this leg abnormality that can be corrected by proper supplementation.

Nevertheless, I urge you to take the affected puppy to the veterinarian as soon as possible to have a complete orthopedic examination performed. I would also take another one of the puppies as well as the mother just in case they need to do some testing on them also to see if there are any linking causes.

Good luck. I hope I’ve given you some help

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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