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Animal Health – General (Expert Forum)
Is it normal for st bernards to be tall and skinny in the flanks at 8 months
Answered by
Justine Lee, D.V.M., DACVECC - Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, poisoning
Pet Poison Helpline (PPH)
Minneapolis - MN
This forum is for general pet health questions, such as questions about medications, parasites, vaccines, infectious diseases, breed specific and genetic problems.
Is it normal for st bernards to be tall and skinny in the flanks at 8 months
by racegirl1965, Oct 21, 2009 12:57PM
My Saint is a healthy happy guy but he doesn't seem to be filling out in the flank area. he is 8 months old. Is this normal? He doesn't eat alot like I thought he would either. Big dogs should have big appetites I thought.
Type of Animal
:
canine
Age of Animal
:
8 months
Sex of Animal
:
Male
Breed of Animal
:
St Bernard
Last date your pet was examined by a vet?
:
September 20, 2009
City
:
Mason
State/Province
:
tn
Country
:
us
Doctor's Answer
by Justine Lee, D.V.M., DACVECC, Oct 22, 2009 12:07PM
, Oct 22, 2009 12:07PM
Be glad he doesn't eat too much! Most large dogs are over-estimated in how much they should truly eat - as long as your vet think he's in good body condition, then that's fine (you should be able to feel ribs on him, but not see them - see Purina's Body Condition Score website for helpful info).
As for the lack of muscling in his backlegs, I have seen this in large breed dogs - some times it's just the way they are, sometimes it's muscle atropy if they have bad hip dysplasia. Just to be on the safe side, since he's a giant breed dog, would be worth having xrays done at your vet to have him assessed for hip dysplasia.
Otherwise, if they look good, he just has skinny legs!
As for the lack of muscling in his backlegs, I have seen this in large breed dogs - some times it's just the way they are, sometimes it's muscle atropy if they have bad hip dysplasia. Just to be on the safe side, since he's a giant breed dog, would be worth having xrays done at your vet to have him assessed for hip dysplasia.
Otherwise, if they look good, he just has skinny legs!
