Rickets affects dogs in puppyhood when animals, especially representatives of large breeds, grow intensively. The most dangerous is the age from three months to a year. Pathology may be associated with a lack of vitamin D, as well as the non-absorption of phosphorus and calcium. Rickets in puppies can be treated, but this process is long, and it will require considerable effort and patience from the owner.
Disease Description
Rickets is translated from Greek as "spine", and denotes violations in bone formation with insufficient supply of bone tissue with minerals during the period of active growth of the animal. Rickets in puppies at an early stage can be detected by X-ray. The image shows the changed end sections on long bones.
Rickets is also called an English disease, because it was first described by an English orthopedist Gleason. When studying the ailment, methods were identified that prevented its development. For prevention, fish (cod) fat was recommended, and quartz lamp irradiation was prescribed for treatment in the early stages .
Kinds
Rickets in puppies, the photo of which is presented in the article, can be of several types, each of which has its own characteristics and varieties.
With the classic type (vitamin D deficiency), rickets are distinguished by clinical options:
1. According to the saturation of blood with phosphorus and calcium, rickets occurs:
- calcium penic;
- phosphopenic;
- with unexpressed changes in the norm of the elements.
2. By flow, the forms are distinguished:
- acute - with osteomalacial and neurological symptoms;
- subacute - osteoid tissues grow intensely: frontal and parietal tubercles form, bones of wrists, phalanges of fingers and ribs thicken at the place of transition into cartilage;
- recurrent (wave-like) after previous active rickets.
3. The degree of severity distinguish three degrees of the disease:
- easy - the initial stage;
- moderate - with moderately severe deformation of bone tissues and organs;
- severe - damage to many parts of the skeleton, internal organs and nervous system, the animal lags behind in development, complications of the disease are manifested.
The occurrence of secondary rickets is promoted by:
- malabsorption syndromes, when nutrients are not sufficiently absorbed, that is, poorly absorbed;
- chronic diseases of the kidneys and biliary tract;
- metabolic disorders;
- prolonged use of anticonvulsants.
Vitamin D-dependent and vitamin D-resistant (phosphate-diabetes) types of rickets are also isolated.
Etiology of the disease
Rickets in puppies can develop for several reasons. The most common include:
- Inadequate intake of phosphorus, calcium and vitamin D into the dog's body or inability to assimilate them leads to the rapid development of the disease.
- Violation of the parathyroid gland prevents the entry of necessary elements into the body and leads to an imbalance in hormonal levels.
- Cell disorders transmitted to the puppy from their ancestors.
Vitamin D helps to absorb calcium, and its deficiency arises as a result of biosynthesis disruption under the influence of ultraviolet radiation in the skin, subcutaneous tissue and in the liver. The use of fish (cod) fat, dairy products (cottage cheese, cheese), vegetable oils, seafood and some types of herbs will help to fill the lack of this vitamin.
Improper conditions in rooms with high humidity and lack of sunlight impede proper physical development, and rickets in a German puppy (or a representative of any other large breed) develops from the first month of life.
Clinical manifestations
For timely diagnosis of the disease, it is necessary to carefully monitor the development of the pet from birth. The first noticeable sign of a shortage of important elements in the animal's body is tooth enamel defects.
Rickets in a German Shepherd puppy at an early stage can be determined by:
- trembling
- lameness;
- decreased activity and fatigue on walks;
- lack of desire to play and get to know other dogs.
Often, such symptoms are confused with character traits and situational manifestations of a pet and do not give them due attention. But if you do not take any measures, then the situation will worsen, which will lead to more pronounced symptoms:
- curvature of the ridge and strong stoop;
- weakening of muscle tissue: when walking the animal's legs are bent, limbs become flabby and soft, muscle tone is not observed;
- osteochondrosis, which is manifested by a thickening of the joints of the legs, formations in the form of nodes form on the ribs;
- tooth decay and loss;
- fragility of bones - fractures become more frequent, even a minor effect provokes serious injuries;
- a change in the chest, which enlarges and bulges due to the fact that the bone tissue ceases to cope with the weight of the dog;
- sagging abdomen;
- disproportionality of the large head and short limbs;
- problems with hair that becomes dull, dandruff and baldness appear;
- violation of the functions of internal organs;
- frequent gastrointestinal upset;
- mental development disorders.
Particular attention should be paid to the inadequacy of behavior, which manifests itself in the fact that the puppy begins to eat, gnaw and lick inedible objects: earth, stones, walls, floor - these are clear signs that he is actively developing the disease.
Diagnosis of the disease
In order to diagnose rickets in puppies, the symptoms of which at an advanced stage are visible to the naked eye, it is necessary to conduct a series of examinations. The veterinarian appoints:
- A blood test for biochemistry and the content of calcium and phosphorus.
- X-ray
- Assessment of motor functions.
- A general examination of the pet is carried out.
Upon confirmation of the diagnosis, appropriate treatment is prescribed.
Therapy regimen
Rickets in puppies, the treatment of which will be discussed below, will require patience from the owner. This is a fairly lengthy process that requires attention and effort. But if you start therapy immediately after the detection of the disease, then you can quickly achieve good results.
How to treat rickets in puppies, the veterinarian will tell you, after using the tests to determine the deficiency of which element has led to the development of the disease, and prescribe the appropriate therapy.
- An aqueous solution of vitamin D in combination with calcium gluconate is shown as an injection. Vitamin A is consumed every day, and injections are given two to three times a week. The course is one month.
- Trivitamins are prescribed in the form of drops daily or in the form of injections every seven days.
- To improve the condition of the joints, a mummy can be shown.
- Artificial ultraviolet radiation through a quartz lamp, which is carried out under the supervision of a specialist.
Worm infection can complicate the course of the disease. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly conduct antihelminthic therapy and monitor the treatment process through tests.
You should also ensure your pet frequent sun exposure and introduce more liquid gelatin, sour-milk products, fish oil (one teaspoon every two days) and vitamin complexes into the diet.
Preventive actions
Treatment of rickets is quite expensive. Therefore, in order to maintain the family budget, it is necessary to provide the pet with good conditions, integrated nutrition and long walks in the fresh air.
Making the right diet is a rather difficult task. After all, it is necessary to take into account not only the presence of useful substances necessary for the development, but also their digestibility by the body. A specialist will help develop a proper nutrition scheme, the basic principles are a varied and wholesome feeding, in which sour-milk products, vegetables, fruits, meat, cereals, balanced foods and vitamin complexes should be present. Food should always be fresh and in the amount that a puppy of a certain age needs.
What is the importance of walking
Ultraviolet stimulates the natural production of vitamin D. Therefore, it is especially important to provide the pet with long walks in sunny weather. In cloudy weather, walking time should be increased, since the amount of ultraviolet radiation is reduced.
In winter, it is recommended to artificially irradiate puppies with a quartz lamp. This procedure can be carried out at home or go to sessions in a veterinary clinic.
Rickets in puppies is a rather dangerous and common disease. Timely diagnosis and the necessary therapy will help to cope with the disease and put the pet on its feet. Do not forget that the healing process is significantly influenced by the love and attention of the owner, so you need to take care of the four-legged friend with all your heart.