Weak legs on Coton deTulear.

Hi!

I have an 8 month old Coton de Tulear that I acquired through a very reputable breeder. He is in excellent health- he eats well and is having normal bowel movements, etc.

I have noticed for a while that he has somewhat of a clumsy/crooked gait. Cotons do have short legs compared to the length of their body, so this might contribute to the issue. Anyway, Bentley loves the dog park and we go often. A few people at the park noticed he had a crooked run and suggested I have the vet look at him. I took him a few weeks ago, and the vet checked out his hips and knees and said they felt strong. He also noted that Bentley did not indicate he was in any pain when he examined his hips and knees. The vet said if I wanted him to do an X-ray that he could, but his gut told him that Bentley was fine. He said that if he seemed to be in pain to bring him back in. He said he could possibly have one leg that is slightly longer that might be causing it and he also said he could outgrow it.

However, today the same people at the dog park are insisting that Bentley's hind legs seem unsteady and a little clumsy and that I should get a second opinion and an MRI done. I feel that my vet is knowledgable and he would have suggested an MRI if he thought it was necessary.

So my question to you is whether it is common for dogs under a year to have a bit of a clumsy gait that they can outgrow or if I should be concerned. I was there when my vet examined him and he seemed to do a thorough job. If there was a problem, wouldn't have indicated he was in pain? Could he have other problems causing weakness in his hind legs that has no pain? So I am basically trying to figure out if I should just go with my vet's opinion or get a second opinion.

Let me clarify that Bentley is not walking and falling down. He runs crooked and seems to fall over himself when he is running with other dogs. He does seem to have a very slight weakness in his hind legs though. Any insight you can provide would be helpful.

Thanks!!!!

Kimberly.

Thanks so much for your prompt response! I forgot to mention in my previous email that I did take a video of Bentley running to show my vet. He said he was running crooked but since his hips and knees felt strong he was not too worried about it. I think I will follow your advice and take him back to have the vet check in a month or so for good measure. I just got worried because this one woman today would not stop fixating on his gait and insisting I get an x-ray or MRI done since he was not running perfectly straight.

Thanks again for your advice!