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My puppy's front legs are bending outwards. Is it calcium deficiency?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 2 months and 6 days old

Puppy's legs were all fine initially for first 2 months, but from last 2 days his front legs are bending outwards more and more everyday. Is it some calcium deficiency ? How would this be cured ? P.S. We live in a very remote area and have only 1 vet (visiting whom have no results as she just gave some vitamin supplement syrup just within 10 seconds of seeing the Puppy).

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on January 5th, 2017

It sounds like Scrappy Coco is suffering from an angular limb deformity called values, which is when the legs are bending outwards. This occurs when the growth plate in the one of the long bones of the forelimb (either the radius or ulna) closes and that bone stops growing while the other bones continues to grow. This isn't caused by a calcium deficiency, it's typically caused by trauma but it can be inherited (rarely though). The way to fix this is surgery, which I imagine it would be very difficult for you to find a veterinary surgeon in a remote area of India. This may be something you'd have to travel in order to get fixed, and I would recommend having it fixed as it's a painful condition. You can speak to the visiting vet to see if they can recommend a veterinary surgeon to see Scrappy Coco.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 15th, 2016

    It sounds like Coco could have a valgus deformity, which is when the ulna stops growing while the radius continues growing, leading the leg twisting outwards. The most common way to fix this is through surgery, as diet changes will not stop the radius from growing. Nor will medications. As she grows, her bones will continue to grow with her, and a surgical approach is the way to correct this deformity. There are different surgical approaches that depend on the age of the animal (if the growth plates are closed or still growing), and the extent of the deformity. I would speak to your vet about surgical options for fixing this deformity.

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