Abstract
The musculoskeletal system of an organism is what gives it a shape and facility to move on the surface. The musculoskeletal system is generally made up o f the bones and muscles. But there are other very complicated and delicate structures present without them the functioning of the musculoskeletal system is possible. Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy is a condition of certain breed dogs in which their bone is affected and causes immense pain and other symptoms. In the text below, we shall look into its details and also witness its management in the contemporary veterinary sciences and in the Indian traditional medicinal system of Ayurveda. Let's get started !!
Introduction
Hypertrophic osteodystrophy is a bone disease in rapidly growing large breed dogs. It is a painful condition that affects the large breed dogs. Common breeds that are affected with this hypertrophic osteodystrophy include weimaraners, boxers, great danes and german shepherds. The condition is generally seen in the rapidly growing giant dogs from two to sixth months of age. Signs include swelling of the metaphysis (the part of the bone adjacent to the joint), pain, depression, loss of appetite, and fever. The disease is usually bilateral in the limb bones. In Ayurveda, the condition is well correlated with the kapha dosha vitiation. In the later section, we shall discuss its ayurvedic view in a little detail and also have a look at the management of the condition in the ayurvedic aspect. For now let's discuss the causes, clinical features, investigations and management of hypertrophic osteodystrophy.
Causes of Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy
- The exact cause of hypertrophic osteodystrophy is not known. The possible and proposed causes include vaccination with distemper virus, infection with distemper virus, viral and bacterial infections.
- Deficiency of vitamin C is also related to the development of the condition.
- A series of events that takes place within the affected bone include the bleeding of the veins into the bone situated near to the affected bone. This leads to the dying of the bone in the particular region and the bone gets reabsorbed.
- It further develops microfracturing because of the weakened structure of the bone. This further led to the formation of the new bone on the surface of the existing bone.
Signs and Symptoms
- Cardinal symptoms include fever, depression and anorexia.
- The dog looks lame and this thing can be from mild to moderate
- As the condition affects multiple limbs the dog becomes reluctant to stand and walk.
- The usual bones that are affected in the condition are radius, ulna and tibia. Though the involvement of jaw bones, paw bones and ribs have also been witnessed in some of the cases.
- Other symptoms include tonsillitis, watery discharge from the eyes, diarrhoea, pneumonia, abnormal development of the enamel of teeth and thickening of the footpads also seen.
Investigations
The diagnosis of the condition depends on the physical symptoms and the findings on x-rays. Sometimes the new bone is also visualised in the x-rays. Sometimes, the growth plate adjacent to the hypertrophic osteodystrophy lesion is damaged that eventually leads to the bowing of the affected bone.
Management of Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy
- Treatment of hypertrophic osteodystrophy is only supportive. In the early period of the fever, the body is kept hydrated with intravenous fluids.
- Nutritional support is provided with a feeding tube in case of severe anorexia.
- Pain and other symptoms are controlled with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories and narcotics.
- Antibiotics are used in pneumonia and other bacterial infections.
- Surgery is indicated in the cases when the bone twists with the damaged growth plates.
- Exercises should be limited to short leash walks on the soft surfaces. To maintain the tone of the muscles, swimming or exercise in an underwater treadmill can be performed under a professional therapist.
Ayurvedic Aspect and Management of Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy
Ayurveda is a traditional medicinal system of India that has been serving mankind from ages. Not just mankind but other organisms and living creatures have been getting many benefits from Ayurveda. Though there is no direct correlation or mention of the ayurvedic veterinary is found. But certain authors and ayurvedic physicians have mentioned the usage of certain herbal formulations in the management of certain diseases of the animals/dogs. There are certain texts that have been written by ayurveda experts that validates the healthy and positive usage of herbal medicines in the animals.
Coming to the correlation of the condition of hypertrophic osteodystrophy, the condition can be well correlated with the kapha dosha vitiation. As the kapha dosha relates to shape and sizes of the organs/bones. When the kapha dosha vitiates it leads to the disruption of the compaction of the formed organ/bone. Furthermore, the infections can be correlated with the pitta dosha predominance and the management is expected accordingly.
Management depends on the dosha involved and the making of the substances available that is required for the establishment of a healthy bone. And the management is also focused on the pacification of the dosha vitiated.
There are herbal medicines that are helpful in the management of hypertrophic osteodystrophy which includes yograj guggul, kaishore guggul, sanjivani vati, arogyavradhini vati, shallaki etc. Singles herbs that are helpful in the coping up with hypertrophic osteodystrophy are nirgundi ( Vitex negundo), ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera), guggul ( Commiphora mukul), amalaki ( Emblica officinalis), ela ( Elettaria cardamomum), dalchini ( Cinnamomum zeylanica), haridra ( Curcuma longa), shunthi ( Zingiber officinale) etc. With herbal formulations the management of hypertrophic osteodystrophy can be done positively.
Herbal Remedies by Planet Ayurveda for Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy
Planet Ayurveda is a famous Ayurvedic company. It is a US-FDA certified company based in India and has access all round the globe. It delivers the ayurvedic products to every location. Planet Ayurveda is an ayurvedic manufacturing unit and prepares pure ayurvedic herbal formulations for the consumption of animals and humans. Planet Ayurveda focuses on the quality of its products and formulates the medicines as mentioned in the various pharmacological classical books of Ayurveda. The products prepared by Planet Ayurveda are totally pure and herbal and do not contain any sort of chemicals, adulterants and artificial sweeteners. The medicines are available in almost every form such as capsules, leha (jams), vatis (tablets), asavarishta (syrups), churna (powders). Planet Ayurveda has come up with certain medicines that are useful in the condition of hypertrophic osteodystrophy.
Following are the Herbal Formulations that are helpful in the managing hypertrophic Osteodystrophy
- Yograj Guggul
- Joint Aid Plus
- Boswellia Curcumin
- Ashwagandha Capsule
Product Description
1. Yograj Guggul
Yograj Guggul is a classical ayurvedic medicine that is very effective in the disorders of the musculoskeletal system. The formulation contains a number of herbs such as guggul ( Commiphora mukul), amalaki ( Emblica officinalis), vidang ( Embelia ribes), gokshur ( Tribulus terrestris), ela ( Elettaria cardamomum), saindhav lavan (rock salt), dalchini ( Cinnamomum zeylanica), dhania ( Coriandrum sativum), shunthi ( Zingiber officinale) etc. All these herbs are known to fix the musculoskeletal disorders, alleviating inflammation and pacifying the kapha dosha. Hence, with these exotic properties of kapha pacification, Yograj Guggul helps in the managing hypertrophic osteodystrophy.
Dosage - Three tablets twice daily
2. Joint Aid Plus
Joint Aid Plus is a patent product of Planet Ayurveda which is composed of the herbs that are regarded as beneficial for the bones and muscles. The ingredients of the formulation are nirgundi ( Vitex negundo), shallaki ( Boswellia serrata), guggul ( Commiphora mukul), sonth ( Zingiber officinale) and ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera). The capsules are very effective in re-establishing the healthy joint that is disrupted by the hypertrophic osteodystrophy. Joint Aid Plus helps in overcoming the painful condition. Joint Aid Plus is very beneficial in promoting healthy bone and muscle tissue. Therefore, in the pitiful condition of the dogs with hypertrophic osteodystrophy, Joint Aid Plus capsules help in the proper recovery of the joint and it also alleviates the other symptoms associated with the condition.
Dosage- Two capsules twice daily
3. Boswellia Curcumin
Boswellia Curcumin is a very nice and effective formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda. The formulation contains the two herbs namely shallaki ( Boswellia serrata) and haridra ( Curcuma longa). Both the ingredients possess anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Furthermore, they also exhibit the analgesic properties, which help in alleviating the pain associated with hypertrophic osteodystrophy. The capsules help in healing of the lesion and check the damage to the bone. It also alleviates fever and loss of appetite and other associated symptoms of hypertrophic osteodystrophy. In conclusion, Boswellia Curcumin capsules are very useful in the management of hypertrophic osteodystrophy.
Dosage- Two capsules twice daily
4. Ashwagandha Capsule
Ashwagandha Capsules are such strengthening capsules prepared by Planet Ayurveda with pure ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera). Ashwagandha capsules help promote bone health and provide strength to the bone and prevent its degeneration. Ashwagandha capsules further give strength to the bones and provide mass to the muscle of the legs of the dogs. Ashwagandha boosts immunity, hence helps in fighting certain bacterial and viral infections which can lead to the development of hypertrophic osteodystrophy. Henceforth, Ashwagandha Capsules prevent and manage the condition of hypertrophic osteodystrophy very effectively.
Dosage- Two capsules twice daily
Contact Planet Ayurveda Support Team to provide you the costing/ordering and delivery information at - [email protected] or Call at 0172-521-4040 (India), +91-172-521-4040 (Outside India) or Whatsapp at (+91) 842-749-4030.
Conclusion
Hypertrophic osteodystrophy is a self-limiting disease that can last for a few weeks. Recurrence of the condition is expected in most affected dogs. The moderate to severe type of this disease results in dwarfism. As per the veterinary sciences the patients that do not respond to the available management should be euthanized (as per an article). But as we see in the text above, there are certain products that help in managing the condition of hypertrophic osteodystrophy very well and validates themselves with the title of well wisher for the patients suffering with hypertrophic osteodystrophy. In the end, hypertrophic osteodystrophy is a condition that can be managed with herbal medicines to a large extent and the life standard of the affected dogs can be enhanced.
