This sounds familiar......
Sounds alot like Lil Bit....when I first went to see her she was 12 weeks....weighed 13 ounces. The breeder had already sent her littermate to a home, but was keeping her back to "see what happens"....
I was initially interested in this puppy because I prefer to take home 'older pups'...just seem to have better temperments and adjust easier.
The breeder was not sure about her and did not want to sell her.....mainly because she "did not like giving money back"....(I swear, her exact words).
I convinced her to take a deposit and I waited 2 weeks to see if she gained any weight. 2 weeks later (@ 14 weeks) she had gained up to 1 # and seemed to eat well....I was a bit attatched to her and wanted to get her to my vet...something seemed to be wrong but not sure what.....I convinced the breeder to sell her to me....I am a peds nurse and was comfortable with all the feeding and sugar issues.......The breeders deal was to give me 24 hours to get her to a vet....if nothing major was found then Lil Bit was mine with no returning....
I rolled the dice and took her home....Got her to the vet the next day...He found nothing wrong and even did some basic bloodwork.....everything checked out ok!!! He was concerned about the large 'molera' (hole in top of skull)..and i thought her eyes "were not quite right"....He dismissed the possibility of hydrocephalus just because she was over 3 months old and had no seizures....he thought the wide leg thing was due to lack of muscle strenght related to her small size...and he said her eyes may do crazy things until she is 6 months old.
For the past 5 weeks I have watched her ALOT!!!!! Her eyes still seem a bit 'out of sinc' and she, too, had a wide leg stance like her back legs were struggling to keep her up. But she has also done remarkably well...she now eats really well and (finally!!) having normal poops...she is energetic and playful.......her weight yesterday at the vets was 2 pounds 5 ounces @ age 4 1/2 months!!!!!!
The vet and I have discussed her often..he is pleased and a bit surprised at how well she is doing....(he initially advised me to pass on her...look for something healthy!)...he thinks she is just one of those puppies that "starts slow"...she has always seemed a bit 'delayed' in her development, but with Apple for a physical therapist she has improved greatly.
She just today did finally go up almost the full flight of stairs (carpeted)...but cannot jump onto the couch..still requires a 'ramp'....
Your pup may be the same....just slow starter and needs some time and weight to get going good.....Just watch her and see how things develop......Like others have said, you will not be letting her go to any home any time soon.....and too much medical intervention may be hazardous to her.... |