Has your puppy been standing or walking on the tops of its feet instead of its paws? This condition is called knuckling and may indicate a variety of health issues. In today's post, our Elk Grove vets define knuckling in puppies and how it can be stopped.
What does it mean when a puppy is knuckling?
If you've noticed that your dog is walking abnormally, you may have done some research using your favorite online search engine and come across the term 'puppy knuckling'.
When a puppy is knuckling, this means that it is walking on the top of its feet instead of its paws. Dogs may knuckle on one leg or all of them, and they may not do this with every step they take. Your puppy's front legs may be knuckling over, or the same may be occurring in a back paw.
Many different factors, ranging from minor to severe, can contribute to knuckling. While not technically a health condition, it can be a sign of one. Potential causes can range from sore or injured paws to nerve damage or neurological disorders. If you notice your puppy has been knuckling, we recommend contacting your vet as the underlying condition can have fatal complications.
Does your puppy tuck their feet under and drag them on the ground? This can lead to your young dog physically injuring any part of the foot, making it essential to seek veterinary care as quickly as possible.
How can I tell if my puppy is knuckling?
If knuckling has become a problem for your puppy, they will be unsteady on their feet or walk with an uneven gait when they walk toward you or away from you. Have your pup stand, then lift one paw at a time and put it down with the knuckle under. If your puppy leaves their knuckle tucked under and does not correct the paw's position, they are probably knuckling.
Call your vet right away to book an appointment for an exam if you suspect your puppy is displaying this sign of a health condition. Our veterinarians diagnose and treat many internal medical conditions in pets. We can also refer you to a veterinary specialist near Elk Grove for further diagnostics and treatment, if required.
What causes knuckling in puppies?
While researchers have been unable to pinpoint a definitive cause of knuckling, it may be related to:
- Sore or injured paws
- Improper exercise
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Unbalanced growth
- Weakness between the flexor and extensor muscle groups
- Muscle, tendons, or ligaments that can't support a puppy's weight
- Poor footing (slippery surfaces)
- Inappropriate nutrition
- Poor muscle tone
- Genetics
- Carpal flexural deformity
Canine degenerative myelopathy is a degenerative disease that affects a dog's spinal cord and will gradually lead to loss of mobility and loss of bladder and bowel control. Symptoms become progressively more severe over time, and knuckling can indicate an early stage of this condition. Because the disease tends to progress very quickly and can leave a dog paraplegic within six months to a year, having a vet diagnose your dog and determine the best approach to management is extremely important to keeping your dog as healthy as possible.
Though all breeds can be affected, large and long-backed breeds like Dobermans and dachshunds tend to be more likely to knuckle than other breeds. Male puppies may be more likely to knuckle due to their rapid growth. The condition typically presents itself in puppies between the ages of 6 and 16 weeks.
If you are caring for a puppy that previously suffered from malnutrition, keep in mind that this condition may become an issue as you start to feed them higher quality food, as a highly nutritious diet can cause rapid growth. This rapid growth can trigger knuckling.
Therefore, we recommend not overfeeding your rescue pup so they do not put on too much weight. Knuckling is sometimes unavoidable in malnourished puppies, as the growth process has already started when they arrive at a shelter or pet rescue organization.
Can knuckling over in puppies be cured or stopped?
The cause of your dog's knuckling can affect the way this condition is treated, some may be treated with supportive care, other causes may require surgery, and some can't be treated at all and can only be managed.
If your puppy is knuckling as a result of an injury or sore paw, they may have a wound that needs to be cleaned, bandaged and treated. We recommend calling your vet so they can treat the wound and provide advice on which steps you should take.
Other causes of knuckling may require one or more of the following management or treatment methods:
- Cage rest
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Laser therapy
- Acupuncture
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- Toe grips
- Avoiding putting your puppy on slippery surfaces such as floorboards (stay on surfaces such as grass, rubber mats and carpet)
- A foot brace (designed for knuckling dogs)
- Physical therapy
- Keeping a puppy in a warm environment (cold weather can worsen the condition)
- Avoiding walks or physical play
- Surgery
- Mobility aids
While crating or penning a puppy may seem like a good idea when your pup struggles to walk, it's generally recommended that puppies still move about on the surfaces recommended above. Follow your vet's advice.
There is no cure for degenerative myleopathy in dogs. However, treating symptoms as they progress can help your dog maintain a good quality of life. While recovering, puppies should rest on a soft bed and be rotated every few hours. In some cases, a puppy that's recovered from knuckling will be able to walk in two to six weeks.
If your puppy is knuckling, contact your vet to have them diagnose the underlying cause and provide your pooch with the most suitable treatment plan.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.