Hi Robert, Your puppy is very small for his age and if I do the math right you purchased him at six and half weeks?? Most breeders sell their puppies between seven and eight weeks and if puppies are under-developed most breeders would grow them on a bit and check for reasons for delay. Most eight week old puppies weigh between 17 and 22lbs. When I got a puppy from a New York state breeder I had to wait until she was eight weeks old. Some states are strict about what age a puppy can be sold.
I would most certainly take your puppy to your vet for a full physical examination. You may also seek consultation with an orthopedic specialist. He is still young and his hip joints not fully formed severe dysplasia will cause pain and discomfort when moving. Refrain from pressing on your puppy's rear to make him sit (if this is what you are doing) and use a food lure to achieve this exercise. When he is laying down does he have difficulty rising, young puppies should not be pulling forward and hauling up their rears they usually get up with energy used in the rear. Bone pain and panosteitis usually appear in the rapid growth phase which is five to nine months and is when the long legs bones are lengthening. I would be most concerned to see pain expressed in such a young puppy. Have you discussed this with your breeder and checked to see if the diet you are feeding is correct. When feeding BARF diet to young growing puppies it is extremely important to have the guidance of experienced breeders who have raised several litters to adulthood on this type of diet. Rose T.
