Abstract
Let's start this with a set of questions. How much do you care about your dog? Have you ever thought that they can also have diseases you can never think of? Do you understand their behaviour when they are in pain? Is your dog equivalent to your child? Do you spend time with your dog? Do you care, when they can not sleep at night? If the answer to every question, asked above is yes, then my friend you are ready to read this article which is going to explain to you about a condition called Hypertrophic osteodystrophy which is becoming really common in specific breeds of dogs. The article just not provides information about the disease but also about the treatment that can make your dog's condition better and improve their life quantity and add years for you both.
Introduction
As mentioned earlier, the Hypertrophic osteodystrophy affects many breeds of dogs. The breeds like weimaraner, irish setter, german shepherd and great dane are heavily reported after getting affected from this condition. Even the condition is common, but the severity and etiological factors may vary from breed to breed. Now, what exactly is Hypertrophic osteodystrophy?
Hypertrophic osteodystrophy is a disease which is also called metaphyseal osteopathy and is common in the age group of between 2 to 7 months. Hypertrophic osteodystrophy or HOD is characterised by decreased blood flow to metaphysis which is a part of bone adjacent to the joint. The decreased blood flow results in failure of ossification and finally results in necrosis with inflammation of cancellous bone. The condition is generally bilateral that limbs of both sides are affected, especially the distal parts of radius, ulna and tibia The condition is much severe in breeds like the weimaraner and irish setter. Significant mortality is noticed in dogs if left untreated.
Causes of Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
- The speculated causes of this condition includes many things like decreased vitamin C uptake, increased uptake of vitamins and minerals other than vitamin C. Moreover, increased intake of calcium supplementation and also after certain vaccinations outbreak of this condition is noticed in dogs.
- The cause of this disease is hypothesised in many theories.
- Another contributing factor resulting in this condition is eating an unbalanced diet which is fed by us, the dog owners, to grow a large, breed puppy.
- So, causes also include certain dog foods which are rich in protein.
Signs and Symptoms of Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
Clinical signs generally depend on the severity of the Hypertrophic osteodystrophy. In mild cases, the puppy is generally having a slight limp and appears to have pain as well. The dog will have pain in the affected bone.
Severe cases represent loss of appetite, weight loss, fever and non activity.
Specific signs in this condition are:
- High grade fever, more than 103 degree fahrenheit
- Discharge from eyes and nose
- Bumps over skin, some of them may be present with pus
- Bloody diarrhoea
- Inflammation of vulva and vagina
- Increased respiratory sounds
- Limping with pain
- Swollen muzzles and excessive salivation
Diagnosis of Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
This condition is diagnosed using radiological tests along with physical examination. In addition some biochemistry tests are also performed.
- Physical signs involve pyrexia, arched back and reluctance to move. It also includes cranial bowing of forelegs and valgus deformity of the carpus.
- History of diarrhoea along with preceding weakness is given by the owner.
- Radiography shows a thin, radiolucent line in the metaphysis parallel to the epiphyseal plate, especially in the radius.
- Secondly, there is extraperiosteal cuff of calcification along with the metaphysis
- In blood test reports, electrolyte imbalance can be present due to excessive diarrhoea or pyrexia.
Treatment of Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
The veterinarian will only give symptomatic treatment so that the condition can be managed well. The medicine is given for bone pain, lethargy and fever, immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids like prednisolone is given.
In severe cases, pneumonia is present, in such cases antibiotics are given. In preventing secondary infections antibiotics play a great role. Antibiotics and antacids are given along with corticosteroids. In addition fluid replacement therapy is also done and analgesics are given.
Prognosis of Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
The prognosis in mild cases is good. As sometimes mild cases resolve on their own with supportive care. The recurrence of this condition is present until the leg bone has fully grown. Once it's finished growing the recurrence won't happen. There are no permanent limb deformities and even if they occur surgery can be performed.
Prevention of Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
Prevention of this condition is tough actually because you do not know what exactly is triggering this condition. But being a responsible parent of the dog you can avoid using external sources of proteins and calcium. Moreover, dog food containing excessive protein for growth and strength is to be avoided as well.
Ayurvedic aspect of Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
Ayurveda believes that every living entity is made up of five elements, that is fire, water, space, earth and wind. These five elements make the human body and the body of other mammals are also made up of these five elements. The presence of five elements straightly depicts the presence of tridosha that is vata, pitta and kapha. Presence of pitta dosha depicts the presence of fire elements in the body in the form of digestive fire.
Digestive fire is responsible for digesting the food and providing nutrition. But if the digestive fire gets hampered? It results in accumulation of ama dosha or endotoxins and endotoxins thus results in vitiated dosha. In this case it predominantly has vitiation of vata and pitta dosha.
So, the treatment of this condition in ayurveda is done, keeping in mind all the factors mentioned above. Obviously the treatment starts with something that can enhance the process of digestion and makes the digestion as well as absorption better. Secondly, it includes using herbs that help in vitiation of vata dosha and pitta dosha. All this treatment is continued with symptomatic treatment which is provided to reduce pain and other symptoms.
Herbal formulations for Hypertrophic osteodystrophy by Planet Ayurveda
Planet Ayurveda is a renowned Ayurvedic company which deals with the manufacturing and preparation of herbal formulations. These formulations are prepared using potent herbs and their extracts which are really effective in managing many conditions including Hypertrophic osteodystrophy in dogs.The formulations or products prepared by Planet Ayurveda do not contain any kind of adulterants, dyes, additives, fillers etc.
These medications are really potent in supporting the recovery of the dogs body from this condition and hence giving positive noticeable results. The formulations offered by Planet Ayurveda for the management of Hypertrophic osteodystrophy in dogs are as follows:
- Yograj guggul
- Joint aid plus
- Boswellia curcumin
- Ashwagandha capsules
Product description
1. Yograj guggul
Yograj guggul is a classical formulation which is prepared with potent herbs. As it's name expresses it contains guggul (Commiphora mukul), pippali (Piper longum), ajwain (Carum copticum), vidang (Embelia ribes) and others.Yograj guggul works very efficiently in relieving pain and inflammation of joints in dogs. It helps in pacification of vata dosha which is the main reason for typeof pain in this case. Moreover, it also helps in relieving symptoms related to digestion like diarrhoea and has a soothing effect on nerves as well. It strengthens the joints and helps in building the stronger bones. The formulation is also known for its rejuvenating effects.
Dosage: Three tablets twice daily with meals
2. Joint aid plus
Joint aid plus is a herbal combination that has ingredients like Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), and many other herbs. All these herbs help in reduction of the inflammation and management of this painful condition.. These capsules are also beneficial in purification of the blood and also helps in strengthening the bones as well as muscles. The capsules work really well in bone growth and help in ossification and the herbs have their effect on vata dosha as well. All over the joint aid plus capsules gives a great result in supporting the bone growth.
Dosage: Two capsules twice daily with meals
3. Boswellia curcumin
Boswellia curcumin is a combination which is prepared using two potent herbs: shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and curcumin (Curcuma longa). The capsules are manufactured using standardised extract of both herbs. The two herbs work really great as an agent to reduce the inflammation and also have an effect on pain. As the inflammation subsides the pain sensation reduces. In addition, it also relieves the symptoms related to digestion. The presence of curcumin makes it a very good antibacterial agent and all over formulation has great effect on vata dosha as well.
Dosage: Two capsule twice daily with meals
4. Ashwagandha capsules
Ashwagandha capsules are prepared using the standardised extract of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) only. Ashwagandha also helps in improving the body's ability to maintain the physical effort of the body thus decreasing the weakness. The herb is really beneficial for managing fatigue, weakness in muscles, body pain and strengthens all over the body. The capsules help in building stamina, enhance your resistance to stress and promote general well being.
Dosage: Two capsules twice daily with meals
Conclusion
Taking care of your dogs is really important and growing them into healthy pups is a very dream of every owner but feeding them with something which they can not digest is not a choice for that. If you want to keep your dog healthy, and fit and enhance their growth then you must try something which is healthy, natural and effective. For any query visit www.planetayurveda.com