My Puppy’s Front Legs Are Bowing. What Should I Do?

Comments

Matt C - January 29, 2025

My puppy has been diagnosed with severe angular limb deformities (ALD). Is there a splint for this?
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ZOOMADOG replied:
ALD is a bone, rather than muscular, issue. The recommendation for ALD is that splinting should only be used in specific cases and be overseen by a vet or physiotherapist. Splinting or bracing the legs depend on the severity of the ALD and the age of the puppy. For puppies under 6 months, the most usual approaches to ALD are controlled diet and growth management, targeted exercise, physiotherapy, joint supplements, and regular vet visits.

If it’s moderate ALD (usually in puppies between 5-10 months with noticeable bowing that may be making walking difficult) then your physiotherapist will give strengthening exercises, hydrotherapy may be prescribed, and possibly splinting or bracing. Your vet will advise you on the correct splint to get.

Where ALD is severe (most likely in puppies over 10 months old), resulting in significant deformity and impaired mobility, then probably surgery will be required. Your vet will devise a post surgery recovery plan for your puppy.

So a splint can help in certain but it needs to be chosen, and used, under your vet’s guidance.

Sean - January 29, 2025

My vet has said that my Newfoundland puppy’s front legs are bowing outwards due to muscle weakness. Will a brace help?
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ZOOMADOG replied:
As the vet has confirmed this is a muscular (rather than bone) issue then some support, used in the right way, can be appropriate. Support can help mild to moderate leg bowing, or when there’s carpal laxity syndrome.

We recommend the Scandi Orthopedic Dog Carpal Front Splint Grade 2.5. This splint gives the option of shaping and re-shaping the thermoplastic splints according to what’s needed, and these can be removed so it can also be used as a simple support wrap only. Using it as a wrap only gives proprioceptive feedback, letting your puppy ‘feel’ what the correct position and alignment of his leg should be. This flexibility of use will be very helpful to have as your pup’s leg muscles start to strengthen, as you won’t need the rigid splints at this point.

Alternatively consider the Balto Joint Dog Carpal Compression Band. This is moderate support and has removal splints so it can also be used as just a wrap.

Both splints should be used sparingly, to support muscles on walks, but avoiding overuse in case the muscles become dependent on that level of support. Consult with your vet or physiotherapist for more detail on this.

We’re sure the vet has also advised you on the right diet, exercise, and joint supplements to support your puppy as he grows, and avoid further bowing. These are all crucial components to ensure his bones and muscles develop correctly.

Tyrone - January 29, 2025

My 10 week old Shar-Pei’s front legs are like the picture – bowed legs. What is the best thing to use on the legs ?
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ZOOMADOG:
We recommend getting veterinary advice about the best front leg support for your puppy first, as there can be various reasons why a puppy’s legs bow and, depending on the cause, different strategies are needed. A front leg support isn’t always the best one. So it’s best your vet checks him and once you have more information on why his legs are bowing, we can advise from there.