Pediatric dogs are predisposed to skeletal disorders during growth, with rickets, hypertrophic osteopathy, and nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism being the most common. Rickets, usually caused by vitamin D deficiency, leads to bone softening and deformities, whereas hypertrophic osteopathy involves abnormal calcium salt deposition that impairs mobility. This study investigated developmental orthopedic diseases in Aksaray Malakli dogs, focusing on nutritional factors and biochemical markers. Twenty-two pediatric dogs were examined and divided into two groups. Group I (n=11) showed gait abnormalities and postural deformities, whereas Group II (n=11) included clinically healthy dogs. Clinical, radiographic, and biochemical assessments were performed, including cortical index, parathormone, osteocalcin, vitamin D3, calcium, and phosphorus measurements. Nutritional history revealed that Group I dogs were fed exclusively with “yal,” a grain-based diet, likely leading to calcium deficiency and impaired skeletal development. Group II received a balanced diet including animal-based products and commercial feed. Clinical examinations indicated no pain in either group, but Group I showed abnormal posture and forelimb curvature. Radiographs revealed bone structural changes in Group I, while Group II maintained normal alignment. Biochemical tests demonstrated imbalances in Group I, particularly in vitamin D and phosphorus levels, and statistical analysis confirmed significant intergroup differences. These findings indicate that nutrition, vitamin D status, and calciumphosphorus balance are key contributors to metabolic bone disorders in Malakli dogs. Proper nutritional regulation during early growth may help prevent rickets and other metabolic bone diseases in this breed.
Avci et al. (Sat,) studied this question.