Treating Canine Rickets: Symptoms and Remedies

Section 1: Causes of Canine Rickets

1. Deficiency in Vitamin D is a primary cause of rickets in dogs.

2. Key contributors to rickets include inadequate calcium and phosphorus levels, severe imbalances in their ratios, and dysfunction of the parathyroid glands.

3. Rickets can also be triggered by conditions such as kidney failure or genetic disorders.

4. Overpopulation of intestinal parasites may also be a contributing factor, highlighting the importance of preventive measures.

Section 2: Clinical Symptoms of Canine Osteochondrosis

1. Diagnosis of osteoporosis in affected dogs involves assessing age, severity, skeletal deformities, and Xray results. Serum calcium and phosphorus levels can be measured to aid in diagnosis. Rickets can be confirmed if blood calcium levels are below 9.8% and blood phosphorus levels are below 2.5%.

2. Early signs may include pica, such as eating dirt, sand, or other inappropriate substances, as well as selflicking of the abdomen and a slow tooth replacement process.

3. Dogs may exhibit a stiff gait, lameness, particularly in the hind legs, and may walk with a crouched posture, showing O or Xshaped legs. Deformities in the knees, wrists, ankles, and ends of bones are common, with the knees and ankles often presenting with double joints.

4. The ribs and costochondral junctions may have beadlike protuberances, the sternum may be sunken, the pelvis narrowed, the spine curved, and the trunk and limb bones may become stunted, resembling a dwarflike skeleton.

5. The upper jaw and mouth may become narrow, leading to nasal congestion and difficulty breathing. Mandibular pain can cause difficulty in chewing, and the dog may lose vitality, become emaciated, and ultimately suffer from severe illness.

Section 3: Prevention and Treatment Measures for Canine Rickets

1. Enhance the dog's living environment by ensuring proper sanitation and sufficient lighting in the kennel.

2. Encourage moderate exercise, expose the dog to sunlight, and adjust the diet to ensure adequate light exposure and energy intake.

3. Administer supplements such as cod liver oil five to ten times daily, with one dose per day. Discontinue use if diarrhea occurs. Overdosing should be avoided, as it can lead to poor calcium absorption, weight loss, digestive disorders, organ atrophy, and circulatory disturbances. Add calcium supplements to the diet, with puppies receiving 1.5 to 2 grams per day, once daily, for one to two months.

Pet Doctor's Tip: For more information on canine rickets, click on "Early Symptoms of Canine Rickets" to read more.