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Hello
I have a 1y 3m Male GSD (import from UK) with mild HD which we are just starting on an exercise management programme. His FLs have great ROM but I have 2 red flags:
1. He sleeps like a cat, always flexing carpi. Am I right in thinking elbow dysplasia?
2. He has flat front feet- hyper extended toes. performs a little better on knobbly surface. Diet is good, weight is good. These have always been the case. Short of strengthening carpi and digits- does anyone have any thoughts/ breed info/ other I should be thinking?

thanks
Jane

Hey Jane,

Interesting. Firstly, I've never heard of a correlation between flexed carpi and elbow dysplasia. I've seen a few dogs choose to do this as well, but no correlation with elbow dysplasia. And in fact, I will often wake myself up at night with aching wrists because I tend to do it as well. In my case I always figured it was an 'in utero' comfort position...

The flat feet don't jump out at me as being a pathology either. But I do wonder if it has to do with overall tone and muscle strength of the dog in general. Perhaps lack of good footing or enough exercise as a puppy. Perhaps just a 'stage' of development... or as my breeder clients say - put him in a closet and don't look at him too closely for the next 9 months, and he will emerge as the dog you hoped he would be when you decided to pick him. (And just to be clear... that is sarcasm. I just need to point that out incase anyone reading is shocked!)

Honestly, there are no red flags for me other than the need for general conditioning.

Maybe others will chime in if I have missed anything.

Cheers,

Laurie