Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with swollen jaw from calcium and vitamin D deficiency
By de Fornel-Thibaud, Pauline et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2007·National Veterinary School of Alfort, France·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Unusual case of osteopenia associated with nutritional calcium and vitamin D deficiency in an adult dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 6-year-old spayed female Rottweiler was brought in because her face was swollen, particularly around her jaw. The dog had been eating a homemade diet that lacked enough calcium and vitamin D, which led to a condition known as rubber jaw syndrome. X-rays showed that her skull bones were becoming weak, and blood tests confirmed a deficiency in vitamin D and high levels of a hormone related to calcium regulation. After changing her diet to include the necessary nutrients, the dog showed significant improvement, with her skull bones becoming healthier again.
People also search for: Rottweiler jaw swelling · dog calcium vitamin D deficiency · rubber jaw syndrome treatment
Abstract
A 6-year-old, spayed female rottweiler was presented for facial enlargement from swelling of the maxilla and mandible. The dog was fed a homemade diet deficient in calcium and vitamin D, suggesting that rubber jaw syndrome was a secondary nutritional disorder. Radiographic and tomodensitometric examinations revealed diffuse bone resorption in the skull. The plasma parathormone concentration was high, and serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentration was low. Based on these findings, nutritional calcium and vitamin D deficiency associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed. Dietary correction resulted in clinical and biological improvement, with an increase in skull mineralization.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17209086/