Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Signs and diagnosis of brittle bone disease in three dogs
By Campbell, B G et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1997·Department of Pathology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical signs and diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta in three dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A young dog was brought to the vet with multiple fractures that occurred with little to no injury, raising concerns about brittle bone disease called osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). The vet ruled out other causes by checking blood levels of calcium and other nutrients, which were normal. To confirm the diagnosis, they took a skin biopsy and tested the cells, finding abnormalities in the collagen that supports bone structure. This confirmed the dog had OI, a genetic condition that makes bones fragile.
People also search for: dog multiple fractures causes · brittle bones in dogs · osteogenesis imperfecta treatment in dogs
Abstract
When a young dog is evaluated for multiple fractures with minimal to no accompanying trauma, the primary differential diagnoses are metabolic disease, physical abuse, and osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Of these, secondary hyperparathyroidism is most common, but if serum concentrations of ionized calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and parathormone are within reference ranges, OI must be considered. Osteogenesis imperfecta is a heritable disease characterized by brittle bones. Results of studies using cultured skin fibroblasts indicate that most cases of OI in human beings are caused by a mutation in a type-I collagen gene. Osteogenesis imperfecta was recently identified in 3 dogs. Radiographic findings included multiple fractures in various stages of healing and generalized osteopenia. Cultured fibroblasts from skin biopsy specimens were used to diagnose OI. Structural abnormalities were found in type-I collagen from each dog. This cell culture assay can be used to evaluate dogs with brittle bones.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9227748/