What this means
An owner does not see a weak bone, only its result: the dog limps or will not use a leg after something that would not normally cause harm, such as a small jump off the sofa, a knock during play or a clumsy turn. If this happens more than once or several bones break, it is worth asking whether the problem is not bad luck but the strength of the bone itself.
Many things decide how strong a bone is. Sometimes the weakness is inherited, sometimes bones do not mineralise properly because of a metabolic or hormonal disorder, and sometimes a disease in the bone itself weakens it. The cause can only be found by examining the dog, with blood tests and X-rays. It matters not to assume it is just misfortune when breaks repeat.
Your vet will find it useful to know how the break happened and how minor the event was, whether other bones have broken before, whether the puppy is growing more slowly, whether the legs are bowed and whether teeth were lost early. Say what your dog eats and whether it is given any extra products, and if you can, ask the breeder about the dog's family.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your dog.
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Inherited disorder of bone mineralisation
Some dogs are born with a disorder in which bones and teeth do not harden enough. Such bones are softer and break more easily.
About the condition: Hypophosphatasia -
Metabolic or hormonal disorder
When the body's handling of calcium and phosphorus is disturbed, bones can weaken. Blood tests show this.
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A bone weakened by disease
Sometimes a bone is weakened by a disease within it, so that a break follows a very small force.
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Poor nutrition during growth
If a puppy does not get everything its bones need to grow, they can be weaker. What and how much to feed a puppy is for a vet to say.
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A severe injury
Sometimes a break really is the result of great force, which is why it matters to describe exactly how it happened.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- How the break happened and whether the event was truly minor
- Whether other bones have broken before
- Whether the puppy is growing more slowly than its litter-mates
- Whether the legs are bowed or the body looks unusual
- Whether your dog lost teeth early
- Whether your dog avoids moving, limps or cries out when touched
When to book a routine visit
If your dog's bones break easily or breaks keep happening, see a vet so the cause can be found. Describe how each break happened and mention any other changes you have noticed.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
Body systems: Bones and joints