Sternum sticks out…..
Over the last several weeks, we have noticed Blackie’s sternum sticking out more than usual. An unoffical chat with the vet confirmed that Blackie’s sternum is backwards and it’s congenital. The vet said that there is nothing that can be done and it happens in doxeys. Well, the news got even darker when she told me that his diaphragm might not be attached properly and if that’s the case other complications could arise. Blackie is 13 weeks old. He plays and runs around with his brother Sam pretty well. Sam does not have this condition. After a lot of play time, occasionally, Blackie will tire and his breathing seems more shallow. I’ve searched the internet for some information on it but I would like to know if anyone out there could share their experiences with me. I will eventually get an xray for Blackie. Should I talk to the breeder who sold us the dogs? ~Thank you, Teri
June 21, 2008 @ 1:28 pm
By unofficial chat, what do you mean? Over the phone? Did he do a physical exam? How can he tell if he has not done an xray? I would definitely get hold of the breeder. If this is indeed the case, I would imagine it is genetic and he/she needs to know. I would like to hear more about this.
June 21, 2008 @ 9:10 pm
I don’t know what you mean by sticking out. The definition of a dachshund is as follows: Its body should have a strong protruding sternum and a moderately retracted abdomen. One of me girls sternums sticks way out more than the other two.
I also would like to know as Doozie questions did the doctor physically see Blackie?
June 22, 2008 @ 12:06 am
I’ve never heard of that. How can a sternum be backwards? Smokey’s sticks out much more than Annas and only clears the ground by a little bit. When I got him from the humane scoiety I was only told to make sure he had a bed that would provide support for this. I’d be interested in hearing more about this.
June 22, 2008 @ 1:38 am
Can you post some pics in the forum for us to see what you are seeing.
A normal dachsie conformation shows a protruding chest at the front. How can the vet over the phone be able to tell anything about possible problems with your dog,you will need a proper examination before the breeder will take things seriously.
At 13 weeks old his body has alot of changing to do over the next few months, don’t worry about things which may be normal until a vet can confirm things following a hands on examination.
Rhona
June 22, 2008 @ 9:15 am
The chest bone on a Dachshund is called a keel bone because it looks like the keel of a ship and should protrude some.
It creats a deep chest cavity which was needed for running badgers and can also bring on a deep,loud bark!
I could not find anything on a “backward” keel bone on the internet.
I agree with some of the other posts that you need to have your doxie x-rayed to confirm what you have been told by your vet and go from there.
Bette
June 22, 2008 @ 6:04 pm
I’m trying to upload photos taken today. Once I figure it out, I’ll let you know.
June 22, 2008 @ 9:23 pm
I am unable to upload pictures. I have tried 5 times and each time the site says “unable to upload”. Does anyone have suggestions on uploading pictures? If you want to see pictures, I can email them to you via my personal email. It is dazeymaye@hotmail.com. To answer a few questions though, the unofficial chat occurred when I went in to the vet to buy puppy food. I explained their situation and the vet seemed to know exactly what it was by my description. My boyfriend will be taking them to her tomorrow for shots and to discuss Blackie’s situation. His body has changed quite a bit since we got him. We got them at 7 weeks and didn’t notice anything like that. I haven’t had a dog in 15 years, this is all new to me. It’s amazing how much love they have given us so far. We love them. Their personalities are so amazing and I’m enjoying this site and the stories and pix of the other doxeys out there.
June 23, 2008 @ 4:26 am
All dogs do alot of changing in those first few months, if your vet isn’t familiar with the breed then he may think it is abnormal,it may be on other breeds I don’t know. One pup may be developing quicker than the other which is why he looks different.
It is easier to load pics in the forum section,just make sure they are not too big or it won’t allow you.On the blog section the subject will disappear off the bottom and any further comments will not bring it to the top again as it does in the forums.
Good Luck with the pics.
Rhona
June 23, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
Alright. I finally was able to submit a picture. The one pix can be viewed under the Forum, Member section. The subject is simply Blackie and Sam. The boys are seeing the vet today and she will do a physical exam on them. I’ll update after her response.
June 23, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
I posted the vet’s comments in the Member section of the Forum. I will remain watchful and I know that an xray is always an option. I’ll keep that open for sure.