Cow hocks

Lunareclipse · 08-14-2009

The Saint Bernard puppy we recently bought is getting cow hocks. It is more noticable on his left leg than on his right. Anyone knows what causes this and what I can do to correct it?

Lara's mom · 08-14-2009

Sorry. I've never even heard the term. Can you briefly explain what it means?

Lunareclipse · 08-14-2009

His hocks point in and his toes point out.

UnderDog · 08-14-2009

This can happen for many reasons, from exercise restrictions (tendons tighten in St Bernards if they are not given a big enough place to free-roam) to the breeding. It is most likely from breeding, in which case:

1. Give him PLENTY of room to roam whenever he pleases - a big garden and plenty of indoor rooms as well as the most exercise you can give him for his age (do NOT exceed 7 minutes per month of age and keep him on leash and steady walking at all times). This will help tighten the joints and build muscle, lessening the effects.
2. Do not breed from him unless absolutely necessary, and notify the breeder.
3. Give him a good quailty, muscle-building diet.

However, unless he starts feeling discomfort or stays to lay funny, I would not worry. Cow hocks generally progress to around this:

but it is hardly something to worry about if he doesn't experience pain.

Lunareclipse · 08-16-2009

Thank you for the info. I am not planning on breeding him. With his long nose and skinny head and his high rear end, he is not a speciman saint bernard. But he is cute cuddly and adorable. Another thing. I can't get him to get up long anough to do anything. I was teaching him to sit, and he would sit and then lay down and look at me i am retarded for making him do anything. We go on walks, but he will lay down at any oppertunity. I was walking him and Sammie, and Buster laid down. Sammie grabbed onto his leash and started pulling him.. She loves her walks. So here I am with Sammie's leash and she's dragging Buster and Buster is yiping like he is being killed. A walk is a big disaster for him. He grew up the first 11 weeks in a kennel, so big spaces scare him. We are working on it, though. We took him to the dog park he hid under a trash can. I'm sure people thought I abuse my dog.

lil mutt · 08-17-2009

So that's what a cow hock is... I dont have any idea what it was....
thanks for this thread...

wishbone · 08-18-2009

Poor guy, sending vibes and healing prayers for him...

Lunareclipse · 08-18-2009

Thank you for your prayers. Although I can assure you he is quite healthy otherwise. I did reasearch and it's common in puppies to have cow hocks. Some outgrow it, and others don't.

CorkyMax · 08-18-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunareclipse

Another thing. I can't get him to get up long anough to do anything. I was teaching him to sit, and he would sit and then lay down and look at me i am retarded for making him do anything. We go on walks, but he will lay down at any oppertunity. I was walking him and Sammie, and Buster laid down. Sammie grabbed onto his leash and started pulling him.. She loves her walks. So here I am with Sammie's leash and she's dragging Buster and Buster is yiping like he is being killed. A walk is a big disaster for him. He grew up the first 11 weeks in a kennel, so big spaces scare him. We are working on it, though. We took him to the dog park he hid under a trash can. I'm sure people thought I abuse my dog.

I know nothing about cow hocks but was wondering if he is in any kind of pain or at least not comfortable when he stands or walks because of this. If he was in a kennel for 11 wks and he has cow hocks--his tendons/muscles ---- Could this cause them to be weak? Help me out --one of you experts in here!! If there could be something to this---Is there any kind of 'therapy' to help this? Sounds like something is bothering him with not wanting to walk, etc!!

CorkyMax · 08-18-2009

There are a lot of replies here about cow hocks:

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/bulletins_read/23831.html

Don't know why you can't just click on this address---I copied and pasted it from the address bar!! You might try it by hand-copying and manually put it in your browser--otherwise put cow hocks/puppies in your browser and it will be the 1st site listed. I never checked out the other sites listed--maybe more info there too!

UnderDog · 08-18-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

I know nothing about cow hocks but was wondering if he is in any kind of pain or at least not comfortable when he stands or walks because of this. If he was in a kennel for 11 wks and he has cow hocks--his tendons/muscles ---- Could this cause them to be weak? Help me out --one of you experts in here!! If there could be something to this---Is there any kind of 'therapy' to help this? Sounds like something is bothering him with not wanting to walk, etc!!

He could very well have cow hocks because he has been locked up for all of his life as it is sometimes as mentioned above caused my tightening tendons, muscles and ligaments, in which case hydrotherapy would be ideal if you can afford it, but otherwise swimming would be good, and if it's tightening of the ligaments/muscles/tendons then that could be causing discomfort when walking, so all you really need to do is almost "force" him to exercise properly.

Lunareclipse · 08-18-2009

He hates water with a passion. But I have been having him doing some free running. He likes to chase things as long as he doesn't have to bring them back. He doesn't seem to be in any pain. He has a very low tolerance of pain. He yipes if he uncomfortable in any way. So I think if his back legs were hurting him, he would yipe about that too. His gait is weird though, he paces instead or trots. His front and back legs move at the same time instead of opposite of each other. Like pacer race horse. I had my 9 year o0ld run around out in the yard and I watched him run after her to see if he had any problems running. He didn't, except for his weird gait. I think he would like lure coursing, but we don't have one of those where I live. He loves to chase.