I have a three month old boston terrier. He was limping and ...

I would have to disagree with your veterinarian here. Rapid growth can cause lameness but usually in large and giant breed dogs, not a little guy like a Boston. Moreover, the lameness would not be related to one leg being shorter than the other. It's usually associated with pain in the long bones which may shift from one leg to another, or associated with elbow or hip problems.
In your dog's case, I would be more concerned about injury to a growth plate that has caused the affected leg to stop growing properly. If not addressed right away, this can lead to deformation of the leg- it curves inward or outward depending upon which growth plate is damaged. Your puppy should have x-rays done of the bad leg to rule this out.
Another concern with hind limb lameness in a puppy (I'm assuming it's a hind leg because you mentioned hip dysplasia) would be a luxating patella. This is a knee cap that moves in and out of place when it should stay put. A very common condition in small breed dogs.
Hip dysplasia can occur in Bostons but it is far less of a concern than in larger breed dogs.
My policy- never wait and see on a lameness in a puppy. That can lead to a lifetime of discomfort.
Ask your vet to take x-rays to rule out a damaged growth plate and to palpate carefully for a luxating patella.

Edited by Vet help on May 3 2006 at 1:59pm

I didn't think about it but after talking to my friend it is his front leg that seems longer than the other one. Should I still get the x-ray's or switch vets?

Is the lameness in the front leg? If so, I think you should discuss the situation with your current vet and request the x-rays be done. If he is unwilling or unable to accomodate you, then you may need to seek a second opinion.
If the lameness is in the back leg, but there is no difference in size of the limbs, then you should make sure a thorough orthopedic exam of the leg is performed. Again, luxating patellas are very common in small breed dogs. If this is palpated in the leg, then x-rays are not necessary- the palpation confirms the diagnosis. There is a surgical correction for a luxating patella if the problem is severe, but in most cases keeping the dog a nice body weight and putting them on a glucosamine- chondroitin sulfate supplement (for life) helps reduce strain on the joint. Arthritis does develop in these joints down the line if they are not addressed surgically, but there are many pain relievers available for use as needed if the dog is uncomfortable.

Sorry to ask so many questions. It is his right front leg that seems to be longer than the other. He is doing what you mentioned in your first response " it curves inward or outward depending upon which growth plate is damaged.", it is curving in but sometimes he just pokes it outward face front. Our vet said to put him on adult food to slow hime down on growth and hopefully he will catch up otherwise we will have to do surgery, do you think he is growing too fast or because he injured himself.

I will ask for the x-rays just to be sure, but I was wondering if I should keep him on adult food or just cut back the puppy food. I noticed that he seems to be getting thinner as a result of the food change.

There are two bones that make up the lower portion (below the elbow) of the front leg- the radius and the ulna. If the growth plate of one of these bones is injured, then that bone stops growing. Since it is paired with a second bone that continues to grow, this makes the leg bow outward or inward from the wrist area downward. Changing to an adult food will not fix this problem. Usually surgical manipulation is required if the fracture has already started to heal.
The curving would not change direction, so I'm a bit unclear as to what you mean by "it is curving in but sometimes he just pokes it outward face front". And to be clear, the leg that is curving would be the shorter of the two legs if a growth plate injury were the problem.
Again, I have never had a small breed dog experience lameness issues because they were growing too quickly- I have only encountered and read about this in larger breed dogs. I think a 3- month old puppy should be on puppy food (even large breed pups have specialized large breed puppy formulas to prevent rapid growth), just don't overfeed. Most dog foods have recommended portion sizes on the bag- in my opinion, they tend to overestimate a little, so use these as a guide, not a hard and fast rule.


Edited by Vet help on May 3 2006 at 4:03pm

You have been a great help. Just one more question the leg in question seems to be the longer of the two, the other one seems fine. Do you think that I should still have the x-rays? I know you said because of the bones growing it causes the leg to go inward or outward but the shorter leg is normal and he does not do anything different with it. I notice that the longer one (or seems like its longer)goes outward depending on if he is standing or sitting.

If the problem leg is the longer one, then growth plate fracture is not a concern. Since he seems to hold it abnormally, there may be an issue with a tendon or ligament in the leg. Sometimes pain in one of the joints can cause a problem as well. A concern in a growing puppy would be a cartilage problem in the shoulder or elbow.
I may tend to err on the side of caution, but I never like to wait and see on anything in a puppy. For me, x-rays would be the way to go to head off any future problems. A tendon/ ligament issue would not show up, but other things would.
If you decide to monitor him, restrict his activity- no running, jumping, playing or stairs for at least a week. If the lameness resolves on its own, you don't need to have the x-rays done. If it persists or if it gets worse despite a few days of rest, then x-rays are definitely needed.