Dogs

Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy

Hypertrophic osteodystrophy is a bone disease in rapidly growing large breed dogs. It usually occurs between the ages of 3 and 4 months. Symptoms include swelling of the metaphysis (the part of the bone adjacent to the joint), pain, depression, loss of appetite, and fever. The disease is usually bilateral in the limb bones, especially the distal radius, ulna, and tibia. Possible causes include decreased Vitamin C uptake, increased vitamin (other than C) and mineral uptake, and infection with canine distemper. Some dogs recover within a few days, but some relapse. X-rays show a dark line at the metaphysis, which can progress to new bone growth on the outside of that area. There is no specific treatment besides pain medication. The best way to prevent hypertrophic osteodystrophy is to avoid feeding young puppies too much.

References

• Ettinger, Stephen J.;Feldman, Edward C.(1995).Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine(4th ed.). W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN 0-7216-6795-3
• Thrall, Donald E. (1994). Textbook of Veterinary Diagnostic Radiology (2nd ed.). W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN 0-7216-3143-6

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