A case for you DVM students

[DD214_DOC]

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Hey guys,

I thought you pre-DVM and DVM students would want to follow a case on an uncommon breed.

Just got a six-month old black male great dane. Dog was incredibly skinny (individual ribs countable, clearly visible hip bones) when he arrived and has since, "fattened up" in only two days. (Can no longer count individual ribs). Standing height to withers is approximately 22" and current weight at 45lbs. Growth charts indicate a minimum of 28" and 70lbs at six-months of age for male danes.

Bringing to DVM tomorrow morning for exam and checkup, and to inquire about size.

My current hypotheses are:
A) He's a mixed breed and the papers are forged or not really his
B) He was malnourished as a puppy and has stunted growth as a result.

I'll update after the appt tomorrow. Feel free to discuss. 🙂

 

[Iain]

My bet will be neither - although to show a Great Dane at 6 months dogs have to stand 30 inches tall, and bitches 28 - it is not uncommon for them to be smaller at this age. GDs are generally lean, so I would not say that seeing every rib although not ideal likely looked worse then it was.

Slow steady growth for GDs is definitely better, however I would still go to your vet tomorrow. Large breeds are known for numerous skeletal problems, and yours is small so it is worth getting a professional opinion.

I would also be interested in learning how you acquired this dog - as there could be a reason for the height - is he the runt, not expected to get to height.

 

[DD214_DOC]

I had been looking for danes nearby for quite awhile. I saw two ads in the local trader: deposits for AKC dane pups, and a CKC 6-mo old dane for sale; the owners were moving.

The owners seem pretty knowledgeable about the breed and honest, so I don't think they would have intentionally sold me a mixed breed. They did say his brother was a few inches higher than he is.

I had know idea the CKC is pretty much a sham, otherwise I would have skipped these people. I suspect they chose the CKC because it's cheaper to register or they just don't know much about it themselves.

 

[Iain]

So what did the DVM say?

 

[DD214_DOC]

She couldn't fit us in until Monday. 🙄

 

[Iain]

She couldn't fit us in until Monday. 🙄

So - what is it?