Disease Description: A condition of rapidly growing giant breeds where there is an abnormal inflammation of bones with pain and development of excessive bony growths.

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Disease Symptom: Clinical signs of HOD include fever, anorexia and depression. Lameness is always seen with this disease and may vary from mild to severe. With multiple limbs affected, the patient may be reluctant to stand or walk. Typically, the ends of the long bones become thickened. The radius, ulna and tibia are most commonly affected; however, the ribs, jawbone and the bones in the paw can also be affected. Other clinical signs may include diarrhea, discharge from the eyes, tonsillitis, thickening of the footpads, pneumonia, and abnormal development of the enamel of the teeth.This condition is commonly seen in rapidly growing large and giant breed dogs from two to six months of age. Common breeds affected include great Danes, boxers, German shepherds, and Weimaraners.

Disease Cause: The cause of hypertrophic osteodystrophy in dogs is largely unknown. Proposed causes include distemper virus infection, vaccination with distemper virus, bacterial infection and other viral infections. Vitamin C deficiency is unlikely to be a cause of this disease, as previously believed.

Disease Diagnose: The diagnosis of HOD is based on the presence of supporting clinical findings on X-rays. A line of lucency shows destruction of the bone adjacent to the growth plates. Sometimes new bone production is also seen on the outside of the bones.

Treat Method: Treatment is only supportive for HOD. When a patient goes through an acute phase of the disease, intravenous fluids are usually required to keep the patient hydrated. Nutritional support is provided with a feeding tube if the patient refuses to eat for five or more days. Pain is controlled with narcotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories. Antibiotics are indicated if the patient has signs of pneumonia or other bacterial infections. If the bones become twisted due to growth plate damage, corrective surgery may be indicated. Because the distemper vaccination has been implicated, inoculation should be delayed until the pet has been in remission for a couple of months.

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