First, the cause of canine rickets
1. Vitamin deficiency D or vitamin D deficiency is the main cause of rickets.
2. The important causes of rickets are calcium and phosphorus deficiency or serious inappropriate proportion, and abnormal parathyroid function.
3. When there are diseases such as uremia and genetic defects, it will lead to the occurrence of rickets.
4. It may also be caused by excessive intestinal parasites, and it is necessary to pay attention to prevention.
2. Clinical symptoms of canine rickets
1. The dog’s age, condition, bone deformation, X-ray examination and other aspects can be used to diagnose osteoporosis, and the content of calcium and phosphorus in serum can be determined, which is helpful for the diagnosis of the disease. Rickets can be diagnosed if the blood calcium is less than 9.8% and the blood phosphorus is less than 2.5%.
2. In the early stage, there may be pica, such as eating wall soil, sand, dirt, etc., and sometimes licking his abdomen, and changing teeth slowly.
3. Due to stiff gait and lameness, especially hind limbs are hindered, the dog is often knee flexed, O-shaped, X-shaped, and bone deformation can be seen, knee, wrist, ankle Both the hip and the bone end are bone ends, while the knee and ankle are double joints.
4. The ribs and costal cartilages are combined with beaded protrusions, the sternum is depressed, the pelvis is narrow, the vertebrae are curved, and the trunk and limb bones are deformed to form dwarf-like bones.
5. The maxilla and mouth of the face become narrow, the dog will have nasal congestion and difficulty breathing, jaw pain will lead to chewing, the sick dog will lose energy, then lose weight, and eventually develop a bad disease.
Three. Prevention and treatment of canine rickets
1. Strengthening Feeding and management should pay attention to the hygiene of the kennel and have enough light.
2. Allow the sick dog to exercise properly, bask in the sun, and adjust the combination of the diet to ensure sufficient light and energy.
3. Supplements such as cod liver oil 5-10 times a day, once a day, should be discontinued when diarrhea occurs. Post-dose overdose should be avoided. Too much can lead to calcium malabsorption, weight loss, digestive disorders, atrophy of various organs, and circulatory disorders. Calcium is added to the feed, 1.5 to 2 grams each time for pups once a day, and used continuously for 1 to 2 months.
Reminder from veterinarians: If you want to know more about dog rickets, you can click “Early Symptoms of Dogs with Rickets”.
