Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hypertrophic osteodystrophy in young growing dogs explained
By Selman, J & Towle Millard, H·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2022·Small Animal Surgery, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hypertrophic osteodystrophy in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A young dog with lameness, swelling in the legs, and fever was diagnosed with hypertrophic osteodystrophy, a rare bone disease that affects growing dogs. The vet confirmed the diagnosis using X-rays, which showed a specific pattern in the bones. Treatment included anti-inflammatory medications, pain relief, and supportive care to help manage symptoms. Most dogs with mild to moderate cases recover well, while those with severe symptoms may need closer monitoring and more intensive treatment.
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Abstract
Hypertrophic osteodystrophy is an uncommon orthopaedic disease that affects young, growing dogs. Aetiology is currently unknown; however, several unproven etiologies have been theorised in the literature including canine distemper virus, previous vaccination, hereditary causes and auto-immune disorders. Affected animals often present with varying degrees of lameness, lethargy, pyrexia and/or distal metaphyseal swelling of affected limbs. An index of suspicion is based on clinical signs. Confirmation is obtained with radiographs of the affected limb(s) by the presence of a "double physis," or a radiolucent line that is parallel to the physis. Treatment varies depending on degree affected, but generally consists of anti-inflammatory steroids, pain medications, gastrointestinal support, nutritional management and appropriate supportive care. Critically affected patients require intensive monitoring and more aggressive supportive care for prevention of life-threatening sequalae. Prognosis is very favourable with mildly and moderately affected patients, but good to guarded in severely affected patients.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34490906/