RECOGNIZING BONE DISEASES
by Linda Arndt
This is a copy of the guide I offer my puppy buyers as part of my educational packet. I have been asked to
share this to other owners and breeders as support information to be used in conjunction with veterinarian
care. Feel free to copy and share with others if you find it useful. This article is now part of the Great Dane
Club of America's Health and Welfare handbook for owners and has been published in numerous breed
magazines.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction
Raising a large/giant breed that first year can be somewhat difficult. One of the major stumbling blocks are 3
common bone diseases we often deal with in these breeds. I would like to discuss the facts/myth of these
diseases and give you a way to determine which disease you may be dealing with regarding your puppy. This is
not meant to take the place of seeing a veterinarians care. If you suspect your puppy is not well, use this as
support information for you and your vet in diagnosing the health problem of your puppy. The problem today is
the use of multivalent vaccines, particularly on the giant breeds, puts them at great risk. Their fragile immune
systems cannot handle the assault of multivalent vaccines and we lose them to autoimmune response, which is
misdiagnosed as HOD in the early stages. This article will help you and your vet determine whether or not your
dog has true HOD.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Distinguishing Fact from Fiction
Definition of the 3 Bone Diseases:
HOD - (Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy)
months of age.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How To Determine Your Puppy has “True” HOD
Again True HOD is a nutritionally caused disease so in order to determine if this is the problem or not, we must
go through a series of questions to draw a conclusion as to what is going on with your puppy. Most of the time
your puppy will be at stage three (see above) before a veterinarian will be called on for help. Unless your
veterinarian has dealt with many large/giant breeds, they may not be sure how to handle this problem. You can
give them a copy of this guideline and it will assist them in determining the cause for your puppies symptoms
(as described in stage three).
When I receive phone calls from breeders/owners or veterinarians for guidance in this particular disease (HOD)
we go through a series of questions.
Why Diagnosing HOD Can Be VERY Confusing!!
In diagnosis HOD, it of very confusing because the symptoms I have listed above, are also the same symptoms
that your puppy can have with a reaction to vaccines, antibiotics or septicemia. The following things "mimic"
the symptoms of HOD.
1) Vaccine Reactions or Vaccine Mediated Response
2) Allergic Reactions to Antibiotics > Sulfonamide Drugs * (Ditrim, TMZ, TMP/SDZ, Bactrim, Primor,
Tribrissen, trimethoprim sulfa,septra, cotrim, sulfatrim) or > Cephalexin (Keflex - Cefa-Tabs,)
3) Septicemia - also known as septic-arthritis. This is a “systemic” infection also known as blood
poisoning
These 3 things “Mimic” the same symptoms as HOD which is why so many puppies are misdiagnosed. * After
consulting with my own veterinarians, we have decided not to use any sulfonamide antibiotics on Great Danes
because of their hypersensitivity and potential life threatening effect on this breed. We will use Cephalexin,
when it is appropriate, but with a watchful eye and stop it immediately, if there are any adverse reactions.
STEP 1: LET'S TALK ABOUT DIET - IS IT THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM?
Diet - Are you feeding a moderate protein/moderate fat diet? (21%-24% max. protein and 12%-18%fat) this
is considered moderate. * Certain brands are notorious for causing orthopedic problems due to poor quality
mineral absorption.
If so, this means you are feeding a moderate calorie diet which we know is appropriate for the large breeds to
grow slow and even. Not all adult brands of dog foods are appropriate to feed a growing giant breed, because
they will not get adequate amounts of nutrients on an adult formula.
That is why it is very important to feed only certain brands of moderate adult formulas to puppies. I can
provide you a complete list of feeds. The two brands I feel work best for young puppies are: Eagle and Precise.
NEVER FEED A LOW PROTEIN AND NEVER FEED A HIGH PROTEIN.
One is not enough in calories or nutrients the other is too much calories for a growing animal. It is to difficult
for the owner to regulate the caloric intake necessary when we are not using moderate foods. Amount to Feed -
this is a general guideline for the giant breeds being fed a moderate food. If your puppy is consuming more then
these recommendations, they may be consuming more calories than they need the results will be “true” HOD.
Remember the most critical time to control growth is 12 weeks - 6 months of age - this window of growth is the
most rapid.
Guidelines: 2 months 2-4 cups per day
3 months 3-5 cups per day
4 months 4-6 cups per day
5 months 5-7 cups per day
6 months 6-8 cups per day
7 months 7-9 cups per day
8 months 8-10 cups per day
9 months 9-11 cups per day
This is a general rule, based on moderate caloric foods and for animals that may be crated during a part of their
daily routine or less active during extreme weather conditions.
Are You Supplementing?
If you are supplementing with vitamins, minerals, (calcium) and certain people foods such as rice, cottage
cheese, eggs, meat, you might be throwing the balance off of your commercial food as well as adding to the
extra calories.
"NEVER SUPPLEMENT CALCIUM WITH TODAY'S FOODS" - from Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Textbook - 4th
edition 2000
This is not to say you should not use real “foods,” but during these delicate growing stages 3-6 months, I
recommend we go easy and use only fruits veggies.
(Copies of my Feed Program for Adults and Puppies are available upon request.)
If you have a puppy that has been diagnosed with HOD, use the above guidelines to determine if the dog is
consuming more food than he needs and/or the diet is being unbalanced by supplementation. If not, then we
must look at other factors causing HOD like symptoms rather than actual HOD. If diet is a problem adjust
feeding accordingly.
STEP 2: LET'S TALK ABOUT ALLERGIC REACTIONS TO ANTIBIOTICS
Has your dog been on these Antibiotics?
Sulfonamide Drugs (Ditrim, TMZ, TMP/SDZ, Bactrim, Primor, Tribrissen, trimethoprim sulfa,septra,
cotrim, sulfatrim )Keflex (Cefa-Tabs, Cephalexin)
If so, it is not at all uncommon to have a reaction to these antibiotics that mimic the symptoms of HOD. In some
animals this happens within 24 hours, with others it maybe up to 7-10 days on the therapy before you notice
the symptoms of: achy and swelling joints, fever and loss of appetite. (all the same symptoms as in stage three
of “true” HOD or in older dogs, it is often misdiagnosed as PANO)
Treatment:
If you determine the “HOD like” symptoms are due to an allergic reaction to antibiotics, generally the animal is
treated with Dexamethsone. Discuss the course of action with your veterinarian. Once you rule out antibiotic
reaction we go to step 3.
STEP 3: LETS TALK ABOUT ADVERSE REACTIONS TO VACCINES
If you determine the “HOD like” symptoms or Pano symptoms are not due to diet, or antibiotics, then we must
look at vaccine reactions.
Did your puppy have an inoculation within the past 7 days? Normally this response happens within 24-48
hours but can come on as late as a week or more past the date of inoculations. They symptoms are the same as
in stage three of “true” HOD. Polyarthritis, lethargy, swelling of the joint area, fever and loss of appetite.
Treatment: I have found 3 things helpful in cleansing the fibronectin carrier/preservative which the body
recognizes as a toxin. (Purdue Vaccine Research - 2000) But keep in mind, nothing is a guarantee and some
dogs immune systems are so compromised that we lose them.
I have found this combination works as a prevention for vaccine reactions in my own animals. This is a
combination I have been using for 16 years.
(A) Biopet Nzymes a metabolic enzyme and major detoxifier (877-816-6500) website: www.nzymes.com A dietary
enzyme (not digestive enzyme) that provides food for the body so it can make the chemicals necessary to
detoxify the body against free radical damage. These area natural anti-inflammatory and from a food source. I
find it useful to prevent vaccine response, to help heal after a vaccine reaction and fast recovery from
anesthesia.
(B) Vitamin C with Bioflavonides - 1000 mg daily to detoxify the body. Human vaccine research shows us
vaccines produce elevated histamine levels and Vitamin C is beneficial in lowing these levels during vaccines.
(C) MSM - Nutritional Sulfur I prefer the Vita Flex brand. (800-937-1104) Dosage is 1/4 tsp. up to 45# and 1/2
tsp. up to 90# daily increase according to weight. The first week you double dose, then use once a day.
Click here: MSM for Pets by Vita-Flex: Methylsulfonylmethane for small animals. http://www.vita-flex.
com/msmpet.htm
Step 4: LET'S TALK ABOUT SEPTICEMIA (Septic-Arthritis)
When we see the term Pseudo HOD, note - this is an inaccurate term for Septicemia, which gets misdiagnosed
as HOD.
If you have ruled out diet, antibiotic reactions and vaccine response we must take a look at the possibility of a
systemic infection. This could be from taping a joint (avoid this at all costs), a puncture wound, from non-sterile
ear cropping conditions, a bite or a wound that is undetected.
Treatment:
Rather than use an antibiotic, that may not be suited for the specific bacteria or use an antibiotic when it is not
needed, run a blood test first to see if there is an elevated blood count, which indicates infection.
I recommend a blood culture as well, to find the best antibiotic to fight the infection. By doing this, you can
avoid the unnecessary use of a very detrimental drug that breeders often push using called Chloremphenical.
This is the year 2001, you have other options, ones that are not as likely to destroy your puppy's new and
underdeveloped immune system.
Chloremphenical suppresses the immune system and is not meant to be used on growing animals/children.
Discuss other options with your veterinarian.
It is my experience, the numbers of "real" Septicemia cases in this breed are not nearly as prevalent as
breeders are led to believe from other breeders. When there is a case of Septicemia, more than likely it is due to
unsanitary cropping and aftercare techniques.
* Note: Of the 5200 cases of bone diseases reported to the NATIONAL BONE SURVEY, only two cases of “HOD-
like” symptoms were the results of veterinarian diagnosed Septicemia.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THE OTHER BONE DISEASES
The last two disease I will talk about are not as confusing as HOD. These are rather straight forward and easy
to assess.
Let's Talk About OCD:
OCD - (Osteochrondritis Dissecans)
> The Separation of Joint Cartilage from Bone
> Cause is Rapid Growth
> Ages 4-12 months of age
> Affects Shoulder, Hocks, Stifles
> Cause Excessive Calcium or Mineral Imbalance
> Nutritionally Caused Disease (as proven in Equine research)
> Symptoms - Lameness. Pain present at flexing the joint can happen in more than one joint.
This is defect in the cartilage the overlaying or attaching to the bone does not take place properly and a small
piece or flap peels up and acts as an irritant.
Suggestions for Prevention:
> Feed a meat based, moderate protein/calorie, super premium quality food in normal amounts
> Feed only a food that has chelated or sequestered minerals in it for proper utilization and making
bone and cartilage.
> Supplement with Vitamin C (1000 mg) daily.
> MSM - Nutritional Sulfur (800-937-1104)
Course of Action:
If this is diagnosed early enough it may be possible to repair the problems with changes in diet and the use of
Adequan or products which support joint nutritional supplement such as Glyco -Flex Plus or Hip Health.
Sometimes surgery to remove the piece of cartilage is the only option. Discuss this with an Orthopedics
veterinarian if surgery is a possibility. * as a note of interest, when I ran the National Bone Survey in this
breed, 1991 we had over 3,237 cases of veterinarian diagnosed bone diseases reported to the survey. Of those
numbers, 517 were OCD cases. Of those cases all were fed the same 3 commercial dog foods.
*Note : Once in a while an animal has been injured, the trauma to that area will cause OCD in a joint. When it is
nutritionally cause is it often in more than one joint. Make sure you don’t excuse your feeding program
problems and call the problem “injury” related.
Let's Talk About Panosteitis (Pano):
Pano, is how breeders affectionately refer to this disease. It is the least invasive and least threatening of the
three bone diseases discussed in this article.
> Wandering Lameness (Eosinophilic Panosteitis)
> Also Known As Growing Pains in Dogs (and Children)
> Rapid Rate of Growth
> Spontaneous Recovery/ Self Limiting Disease
> Achy Arthritis, if it lasts long periods of time their may be muscle wasting
> 6 - 14 months (9-12 months being the likely period)
ALERT:
An allergic reaction Chephalexin or the Sulfonamides is often misdiagnoised as Pano in an adult dog. True Pano
does not happen in dogs after the growth plates are closed at 18 months but an allergic relation to antibiotics
can happen at any stage of the dogs life. ALSO, PLEASE TO NOT USE RIMYDAL ON THIS BREED!!!!!
Suggestion for Prevention:
Feeding a moderate, meat based, high quality diet in moderate amounts to keep growth slow and even.
Excessive feeding can actually alter the length of bone and shape of muscle making an animal unsound in their
development.
> Moderate High Quality Food - (Eagle and Precise are my first choices)
> A Balanced diet that uses chelated/sequestered minerals
> Nzymes (877-816-6500) a dietary enzyme that is a natural anti-inflammatory.
Course of Action:
> Is the dog having an allergic reaction to one of the drugs listed?
> Look At Diet and Amount Being Fed
> Use MSM- Nutritional Sulfur (800-937-1104) works on the body's metabolism
> Nzymes - dietary enzyme(877-816-6500) - a natural antiinflammatory
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In Conclusion:
The following 3 diseases are difficult to diagnose at times. It requires looking at a total history of the animal,
including feeding, medications, vaccines, injuries, surgeries etc. I hope this method of discussing these
problems makes it a little easier to understand and helps you find a solution, when and if you have these
problems.
Remember two heads are better than one, do not hesitate to call me and discuss the problem. Hopefully we can
find the cause and treatment for the situation along with help from your veterinarian.
Many people ask me what to do when it comes to vaccinating, and how I help prevent any reactions. For vaccine
reaction prevention or for copies of feed programs for puppies and adults, send me an email.
Linda Arndt
GrDaneLady@aol.com
Blackwatch Great Dane Kennels est - 1973
www.daneworld.com/LindaArndt.htm
Click here: Linda Arndt & Blackwatch Great Danes
*This article, my opinion or if you ask for my assistance on health and feeding issues, is not to be used "in lieu
of " veterinarian advise and treatment, and should be discussed with your vet for a comprehensive approach to
better health for your pet.
by Linda Arndt
This is a copy of the guide I offer my puppy buyers as part of my educational packet. I have been asked to
share this to other owners and breeders as support information to be used in conjunction with veterinarian
care. Feel free to copy and share with others if you find it useful. This article is now part of the Great Dane
Club of America's Health and Welfare handbook for owners and has been published in numerous breed
magazines.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction
Raising a large/giant breed that first year can be somewhat difficult. One of the major stumbling blocks are 3
common bone diseases we often deal with in these breeds. I would like to discuss the facts/myth of these
diseases and give you a way to determine which disease you may be dealing with regarding your puppy. This is
not meant to take the place of seeing a veterinarians care. If you suspect your puppy is not well, use this as
support information for you and your vet in diagnosing the health problem of your puppy. The problem today is
the use of multivalent vaccines, particularly on the giant breeds, puts them at great risk. Their fragile immune
systems cannot handle the assault of multivalent vaccines and we lose them to autoimmune response, which is
misdiagnosed as HOD in the early stages. This article will help you and your vet determine whether or not your
dog has true HOD.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Distinguishing Fact from Fiction
- Fact: The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) states HOD, OCD and Pano are nutritionally
causes diseases.
- Fact: In the textbook Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 4th edition 2000 has these diseases HOD, OCD
and Panosteitis (Pano) listed as DOD - Developmental Orthopedic Diseases and nutritionally related, not
genetic in origin.
Fact: HOD and Septicemia, are NOT the same disease, but share the same symptoms, making it
difficult to misdiagnose.
Fact: All growing puppies, if x-rayed, look as if they have HOD due to fast rate of growth. Therefore, x-
rays are not that useful in diagnosing HOD.
Fact: Vaccine reactions, from combo shots, can produce the same symptoms as HOD and therefore the
problem is misdiagnosed as HOD when infact it is a Vaccine reaction.
Fact: Rabies vaccines given before 6 months of age (particularly in Great Danes)and at the same time
as combination vaccines, can cause HOD -like symptoms, but not true HOD. These symptoms of fever,
swollen joints, excruciating pain are often irreversable and result in the need for humane euthansia.
Fact: Most research on these diseases have been done in the equine field.
- Fact: These 3 diseases HOD, OCD, Pano are definitely treatable and do not have to be life threatening.
Proper diagnosis and change in feeding program is necessary to correct the problem.
Fact: Euthanasia does not have to be an option with "true" HOD, OCD and Pano
Fact: Septicemia or Septic Arthritis is erroneously labeled as pseudo HOD by breeders/owners. If the
dog is septic and misdiagnosed as HOD, it can be life threatening. Make sure a blood test and culture is
run to correctly diagnose Septicemia.
Definition of the 3 Bone Diseases:
HOD - (Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy)
- Normally Affects the Large/Giant Breeds, Dogs Grow Too Fast. A Problem of More Food Calories (Energy
Eaten Than Expelled in Activity)
Nutritionally Caused By:
- too many calories consumed
- unbalanced diet disrupted by supplementing
Age Range for Disease
- 10 weeks - 6 months (worst time is 3 months - 6 months)
Symptoms
- early stages:
large knotty joints, toes turning in or out
- middle stages:
large knotty joints, toes turning in or out roached toplines, pinched rear end assembly
- advanced stages:
- animals cry in pain, unable to get up, flat feet, bowing of the limbs, lack of mobility, depression
polyartiritis in all limbs.
months of age.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How To Determine Your Puppy has “True” HOD
Again True HOD is a nutritionally caused disease so in order to determine if this is the problem or not, we must
go through a series of questions to draw a conclusion as to what is going on with your puppy. Most of the time
your puppy will be at stage three (see above) before a veterinarian will be called on for help. Unless your
veterinarian has dealt with many large/giant breeds, they may not be sure how to handle this problem. You can
give them a copy of this guideline and it will assist them in determining the cause for your puppies symptoms
(as described in stage three).
When I receive phone calls from breeders/owners or veterinarians for guidance in this particular disease (HOD)
we go through a series of questions.
Why Diagnosing HOD Can Be VERY Confusing!!
In diagnosis HOD, it of very confusing because the symptoms I have listed above, are also the same symptoms
that your puppy can have with a reaction to vaccines, antibiotics or septicemia. The following things "mimic"
the symptoms of HOD.
1) Vaccine Reactions or Vaccine Mediated Response
2) Allergic Reactions to Antibiotics > Sulfonamide Drugs * (Ditrim, TMZ, TMP/SDZ, Bactrim, Primor,
Tribrissen, trimethoprim sulfa,septra, cotrim, sulfatrim) or > Cephalexin (Keflex - Cefa-Tabs,)
3) Septicemia - also known as septic-arthritis. This is a “systemic” infection also known as blood
poisoning
These 3 things “Mimic” the same symptoms as HOD which is why so many puppies are misdiagnosed. * After
consulting with my own veterinarians, we have decided not to use any sulfonamide antibiotics on Great Danes
because of their hypersensitivity and potential life threatening effect on this breed. We will use Cephalexin,
when it is appropriate, but with a watchful eye and stop it immediately, if there are any adverse reactions.
STEP 1: LET'S TALK ABOUT DIET - IS IT THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM?
Diet - Are you feeding a moderate protein/moderate fat diet? (21%-24% max. protein and 12%-18%fat) this
is considered moderate. * Certain brands are notorious for causing orthopedic problems due to poor quality
mineral absorption.
If so, this means you are feeding a moderate calorie diet which we know is appropriate for the large breeds to
grow slow and even. Not all adult brands of dog foods are appropriate to feed a growing giant breed, because
they will not get adequate amounts of nutrients on an adult formula.
That is why it is very important to feed only certain brands of moderate adult formulas to puppies. I can
provide you a complete list of feeds. The two brands I feel work best for young puppies are: Eagle and Precise.
NEVER FEED A LOW PROTEIN AND NEVER FEED A HIGH PROTEIN.
One is not enough in calories or nutrients the other is too much calories for a growing animal. It is to difficult
for the owner to regulate the caloric intake necessary when we are not using moderate foods. Amount to Feed -
this is a general guideline for the giant breeds being fed a moderate food. If your puppy is consuming more then
these recommendations, they may be consuming more calories than they need the results will be “true” HOD.
Remember the most critical time to control growth is 12 weeks - 6 months of age - this window of growth is the
most rapid.
Guidelines: 2 months 2-4 cups per day
3 months 3-5 cups per day
4 months 4-6 cups per day
5 months 5-7 cups per day
6 months 6-8 cups per day
7 months 7-9 cups per day
8 months 8-10 cups per day
9 months 9-11 cups per day
This is a general rule, based on moderate caloric foods and for animals that may be crated during a part of their
daily routine or less active during extreme weather conditions.
Are You Supplementing?
If you are supplementing with vitamins, minerals, (calcium) and certain people foods such as rice, cottage
cheese, eggs, meat, you might be throwing the balance off of your commercial food as well as adding to the
extra calories.
"NEVER SUPPLEMENT CALCIUM WITH TODAY'S FOODS" - from Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Textbook - 4th
edition 2000
This is not to say you should not use real “foods,” but during these delicate growing stages 3-6 months, I
recommend we go easy and use only fruits veggies.
(Copies of my Feed Program for Adults and Puppies are available upon request.)
If you have a puppy that has been diagnosed with HOD, use the above guidelines to determine if the dog is
consuming more food than he needs and/or the diet is being unbalanced by supplementation. If not, then we
must look at other factors causing HOD like symptoms rather than actual HOD. If diet is a problem adjust
feeding accordingly.
STEP 2: LET'S TALK ABOUT ALLERGIC REACTIONS TO ANTIBIOTICS
Has your dog been on these Antibiotics?
Sulfonamide Drugs (Ditrim, TMZ, TMP/SDZ, Bactrim, Primor, Tribrissen, trimethoprim sulfa,septra,
cotrim, sulfatrim )Keflex (Cefa-Tabs, Cephalexin)
If so, it is not at all uncommon to have a reaction to these antibiotics that mimic the symptoms of HOD. In some
animals this happens within 24 hours, with others it maybe up to 7-10 days on the therapy before you notice
the symptoms of: achy and swelling joints, fever and loss of appetite. (all the same symptoms as in stage three
of “true” HOD or in older dogs, it is often misdiagnosed as PANO)
Treatment:
If you determine the “HOD like” symptoms are due to an allergic reaction to antibiotics, generally the animal is
treated with Dexamethsone. Discuss the course of action with your veterinarian. Once you rule out antibiotic
reaction we go to step 3.
STEP 3: LETS TALK ABOUT ADVERSE REACTIONS TO VACCINES
If you determine the “HOD like” symptoms or Pano symptoms are not due to diet, or antibiotics, then we must
look at vaccine reactions.
Did your puppy have an inoculation within the past 7 days? Normally this response happens within 24-48
hours but can come on as late as a week or more past the date of inoculations. They symptoms are the same as
in stage three of “true” HOD. Polyarthritis, lethargy, swelling of the joint area, fever and loss of appetite.
Treatment: I have found 3 things helpful in cleansing the fibronectin carrier/preservative which the body
recognizes as a toxin. (Purdue Vaccine Research - 2000) But keep in mind, nothing is a guarantee and some
dogs immune systems are so compromised that we lose them.
I have found this combination works as a prevention for vaccine reactions in my own animals. This is a
combination I have been using for 16 years.
(A) Biopet Nzymes a metabolic enzyme and major detoxifier (877-816-6500) website: www.nzymes.com A dietary
enzyme (not digestive enzyme) that provides food for the body so it can make the chemicals necessary to
detoxify the body against free radical damage. These area natural anti-inflammatory and from a food source. I
find it useful to prevent vaccine response, to help heal after a vaccine reaction and fast recovery from
anesthesia.
(B) Vitamin C with Bioflavonides - 1000 mg daily to detoxify the body. Human vaccine research shows us
vaccines produce elevated histamine levels and Vitamin C is beneficial in lowing these levels during vaccines.
(C) MSM - Nutritional Sulfur I prefer the Vita Flex brand. (800-937-1104) Dosage is 1/4 tsp. up to 45# and 1/2
tsp. up to 90# daily increase according to weight. The first week you double dose, then use once a day.
Click here: MSM for Pets by Vita-Flex: Methylsulfonylmethane for small animals. http://www.vita-flex.
com/msmpet.htm
Step 4: LET'S TALK ABOUT SEPTICEMIA (Septic-Arthritis)
When we see the term Pseudo HOD, note - this is an inaccurate term for Septicemia, which gets misdiagnosed
as HOD.
If you have ruled out diet, antibiotic reactions and vaccine response we must take a look at the possibility of a
systemic infection. This could be from taping a joint (avoid this at all costs), a puncture wound, from non-sterile
ear cropping conditions, a bite or a wound that is undetected.
Treatment:
Rather than use an antibiotic, that may not be suited for the specific bacteria or use an antibiotic when it is not
needed, run a blood test first to see if there is an elevated blood count, which indicates infection.
I recommend a blood culture as well, to find the best antibiotic to fight the infection. By doing this, you can
avoid the unnecessary use of a very detrimental drug that breeders often push using called Chloremphenical.
This is the year 2001, you have other options, ones that are not as likely to destroy your puppy's new and
underdeveloped immune system.
Chloremphenical suppresses the immune system and is not meant to be used on growing animals/children.
Discuss other options with your veterinarian.
It is my experience, the numbers of "real" Septicemia cases in this breed are not nearly as prevalent as
breeders are led to believe from other breeders. When there is a case of Septicemia, more than likely it is due to
unsanitary cropping and aftercare techniques.
* Note: Of the 5200 cases of bone diseases reported to the NATIONAL BONE SURVEY, only two cases of “HOD-
like” symptoms were the results of veterinarian diagnosed Septicemia.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THE OTHER BONE DISEASES
The last two disease I will talk about are not as confusing as HOD. These are rather straight forward and easy
to assess.
Let's Talk About OCD:
OCD - (Osteochrondritis Dissecans)
> The Separation of Joint Cartilage from Bone
> Cause is Rapid Growth
> Ages 4-12 months of age
> Affects Shoulder, Hocks, Stifles
> Cause Excessive Calcium or Mineral Imbalance
> Nutritionally Caused Disease (as proven in Equine research)
> Symptoms - Lameness. Pain present at flexing the joint can happen in more than one joint.
This is defect in the cartilage the overlaying or attaching to the bone does not take place properly and a small
piece or flap peels up and acts as an irritant.
Suggestions for Prevention:
> Feed a meat based, moderate protein/calorie, super premium quality food in normal amounts
> Feed only a food that has chelated or sequestered minerals in it for proper utilization and making
bone and cartilage.
> Supplement with Vitamin C (1000 mg) daily.
> MSM - Nutritional Sulfur (800-937-1104)
Course of Action:
If this is diagnosed early enough it may be possible to repair the problems with changes in diet and the use of
Adequan or products which support joint nutritional supplement such as Glyco -Flex Plus or Hip Health.
Sometimes surgery to remove the piece of cartilage is the only option. Discuss this with an Orthopedics
veterinarian if surgery is a possibility. * as a note of interest, when I ran the National Bone Survey in this
breed, 1991 we had over 3,237 cases of veterinarian diagnosed bone diseases reported to the survey. Of those
numbers, 517 were OCD cases. Of those cases all were fed the same 3 commercial dog foods.
*Note : Once in a while an animal has been injured, the trauma to that area will cause OCD in a joint. When it is
nutritionally cause is it often in more than one joint. Make sure you don’t excuse your feeding program
problems and call the problem “injury” related.
Let's Talk About Panosteitis (Pano):
Pano, is how breeders affectionately refer to this disease. It is the least invasive and least threatening of the
three bone diseases discussed in this article.
> Wandering Lameness (Eosinophilic Panosteitis)
> Also Known As Growing Pains in Dogs (and Children)
> Rapid Rate of Growth
> Spontaneous Recovery/ Self Limiting Disease
> Achy Arthritis, if it lasts long periods of time their may be muscle wasting
> 6 - 14 months (9-12 months being the likely period)
ALERT:
An allergic reaction Chephalexin or the Sulfonamides is often misdiagnoised as Pano in an adult dog. True Pano
does not happen in dogs after the growth plates are closed at 18 months but an allergic relation to antibiotics
can happen at any stage of the dogs life. ALSO, PLEASE TO NOT USE RIMYDAL ON THIS BREED!!!!!
Suggestion for Prevention:
Feeding a moderate, meat based, high quality diet in moderate amounts to keep growth slow and even.
Excessive feeding can actually alter the length of bone and shape of muscle making an animal unsound in their
development.
> Moderate High Quality Food - (Eagle and Precise are my first choices)
> A Balanced diet that uses chelated/sequestered minerals
> Nzymes (877-816-6500) a dietary enzyme that is a natural anti-inflammatory.
Course of Action:
> Is the dog having an allergic reaction to one of the drugs listed?
> Look At Diet and Amount Being Fed
> Use MSM- Nutritional Sulfur (800-937-1104) works on the body's metabolism
> Nzymes - dietary enzyme(877-816-6500) - a natural antiinflammatory
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In Conclusion:
The following 3 diseases are difficult to diagnose at times. It requires looking at a total history of the animal,
including feeding, medications, vaccines, injuries, surgeries etc. I hope this method of discussing these
problems makes it a little easier to understand and helps you find a solution, when and if you have these
problems.
Remember two heads are better than one, do not hesitate to call me and discuss the problem. Hopefully we can
find the cause and treatment for the situation along with help from your veterinarian.
Many people ask me what to do when it comes to vaccinating, and how I help prevent any reactions. For vaccine
reaction prevention or for copies of feed programs for puppies and adults, send me an email.
Linda Arndt
GrDaneLady@aol.com
Blackwatch Great Dane Kennels est - 1973
www.daneworld.com/LindaArndt.htm
Click here: Linda Arndt & Blackwatch Great Danes
*This article, my opinion or if you ask for my assistance on health and feeding issues, is not to be used "in lieu
of " veterinarian advise and treatment, and should be discussed with your vet for a comprehensive approach to
better health for your pet.
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