Bunny hop

Flygirl · 01-20-2013, 10:31 PM

My puppy who is 8 weeks old has a slight bunny hop. Both parents are OFA certified hips & elbows. The Sire is rated excellent and the Dam normal. Testing goes back 5 generations. My Breeder has been recommended by the GSD club and came with excellent references.
I may be being just a nervous nelly since my Doberman, which I did not get from a reputable breeder, has severe osteoarthritis among other skeleton conditions.
Any advise would be helpful.
Thank you.

Jax08 · 01-20-2013, 10:34 PM

At 8 weeks old, I would not worry about it. Puppies often have an odd gait while they are growing.

doggiedad · 01-20-2013, 10:40 PM

i got my pup when he was 10 weeks old. he bunny
hopped on and off untill he was 4 months old.

Anubis_Star · 01-22-2013, 03:31 AM

I would not be overly concerned at 8 weeks old. As someone else stated, many pups have odd gates. However, many clinic signs of HD develop and show before 18 months of age, so if an odd gate persists throughout the pup's development, I would be concerned.

Just bring up your concerns next time you go in for puppy shots to your vet, and they can look at gate and structure, and test range of motion for pain. If a dog has a bunny hop because of HD, there is pain present.

Anubis_Star · 01-22-2013, 03:33 AM

Sorry, I meant *GAIT. Not gate... I thought I've already said I'm not allowed to post late at night, haha

Doc · 01-22-2013, 09:51 AM

Bunny hops at an early age indicates nothing. The hips, bones and sockets are still forming and will be for months to come. There are a few things you can do at this point to help the pups hip development. 1. Don't over feed; 2. NO hard exercises; 3. Supplement with minerals and vitamins developed for dogs. (Mega C; Prevention Plus; feed sentinels, etc.) The key is to maximize collagen formation and this is done thru proper nutrition - sodium ascorbate.

01-20-2013, 10:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Flygirl New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Washington Posts: 5	Bunny hop My puppy who is 8 weeks old has a slight bunny hop. Both parents are OFA certified hips & elbows. The Sire is rated excellent and the Dam normal. Testing goes back 5 generations. My Breeder has been recommended by the GSD club and came with excellent references. I may be being just a nervous nelly since my Doberman, which I did not get from a reputable breeder, has severe osteoarthritis among other skeleton conditions. Any advise would be helpful. Thank you.

01-20-2013, 10:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 19,030	At 8 weeks old, I would not worry about it. Puppies often have an odd gait while they are growing. __________________ Michelle _________________________________________ Jax Von Monkeybutt, CGC Queen Banshee Boo Sierra the Undecided Cracker, The Great Shedder Rich N Handsome, "Red"

01-20-2013, 10:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
doggiedad Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jenkintown,Pa. Posts: 12,718	i got my pup when he was 10 weeks old. he bunny hopped on and off untill he was 4 months old. __________________ "Life Without A Dog Is A Life Unfulfilled"

01-22-2013, 03:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
Anubis_Star Master Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 722	I would not be overly concerned at 8 weeks old. As someone else stated, many pups have odd gates. However, many clinic signs of HD develop and show before 18 months of age, so if an odd gate persists throughout the pup's development, I would be concerned. Just bring up your concerns next time you go in for puppy shots to your vet, and they can look at gate and structure, and test range of motion for pain. If a dog has a bunny hop because of HD, there is pain present. __________________ ~Emergency Vet Tech Berlin vom Spartanville 1/13/13 Zeke 5/25/07 Luther 2008 - 7/23/12 "Take this trouble from me: Make sure my shepherd dog remains a working dog, for I have struggled all my life long for that aim." Max Von Stephanitz

01-22-2013, 03:33 AM	#5 (permalink)
Anubis_Star Master Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 722	Sorry, I meant *GAIT. Not gate... I thought I've already said I'm not allowed to post late at night, haha __________________ ~Emergency Vet Tech Berlin vom Spartanville 1/13/13 Zeke 5/25/07 Luther 2008 - 7/23/12 "Take this trouble from me: Make sure my shepherd dog remains a working dog, for I have struggled all my life long for that aim." Max Von Stephanitz

01-22-2013, 09:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
Doc Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,776	Bunny hops at an early age indicates nothing. The hips, bones and sockets are still forming and will be for months to come. There are a few things you can do at this point to help the pups hip development. 1. Don't over feed; 2. NO hard exercises; 3. Supplement with minerals and vitamins developed for dogs. (Mega C; Prevention Plus; feed sentinels, etc.) The key is to maximize collagen formation and this is done thru proper nutrition - sodium ascorbate.

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