Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Rickets causing weakness and bone deformities in 14-week-old racing
By Malik, R et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·1997·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Rickets in a litter of racing greyhounds.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Six 14-week-old racing greyhound puppies were brought in because they were weak, listless, and limping, with noticeable bone deformities. X-rays showed signs of rickets, a condition caused by a lack of vitamin D, which was confirmed by low vitamin D levels in their blood. Their previous diet, which included low-quality kibble and other foods, was not meeting their nutritional needs. The puppies were successfully treated by switching to a complete diet designed for growing puppies that contained adequate vitamin D. Most of the pups improved, although one experienced some lasting growth issues in their bones.
People also search for: greyhound puppy weakness · rickets in dogs treatment · puppy diet for bone health
Abstract
Rickets was diagnosed in six 14-week-old racing greyhound littermates presented with musculoskeletal disease. Physical findings included listlessness, profound muscle weakness, lameness, lateral bowing of the antebrachii and focal hard swellings proximal to the tarsi and carpi. Radiological findings included generalised osteopenia, axial and radial thickening of growth plates, and "cupping' of the adjacent metaphyses; the distal ulnar growth plates were most severely and consistently affected. The diagnosis was confirmed by demonstrating subnormal concentrations of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in serum samples collected at admission. The pups' diet consisted of an inexpensive generic kibble formulated for adult dogs, porridge, milk, pasta, minced beef, vegetables and a small quantity of calcium carbonate powder. The pups were successfully treated by feeding a nutritionally complete, vitamin D-containing ration formulated for growing pups. Bilateral growth retardation of distal ulnar physes occurred as a sequel in one pup.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9097242/