Rickets is caused by a vitamin D deficiency, calcium deficiency, or a problem in the bodies reaction to the vitamin. For a puppy to grow properly its body must release a proper amount of calcium and phosphorus into their bones. When the correct amount is not received by the bone it will create a bending or bowing of the legs which is clearly visible to the eye.
A well balanced diet is the first step to ensuring you avoid this condition, and use of a proper vaccine schedule.
If you know you are giving your pet a well balanced diet and they are up to date on their vaccines we look further into
Rickets
Rickets is caused by a vitamin D deficiency, calcium deficiency, or a problem in the bodies reaction to the vitamin. For a puppy to grow properly its body must release a proper amount of calcium and phosphorus into their bones. When the correct amount is not received by the bone it will create a bending or bowing of the legs which is clearly visible to the eye.
A well balanced diet is the first step to ensuring you avoid this condition, and use of a proper vaccine schedule.If you know you are giving your pet a well balanced diet and they are up to date on their vaccines we look further into the pups own body to see where something could be going wrong.
There are a few places on the digestive tract that can be held accountable for the misplaced Vitamin D. we can find issues in the livers transfer to the kidney. If these two organs do not work hand in hand then the proper levels of calcium and phosphate will not make it to the dogs bones.Common human causes for the body not being able to do its job when it comes to the digestion and absorption of the Vitamin D for proper conversion to calcium are a lack of enough sunshine and/ or an improper diet lacking the nutrients the dog needs.
Another cause for a deficiency is right inside the pooch. The parathyroid glands sometimes can overdue their job to make up for something lacking and in doing so end up wasting more minerals in process.
Too much or too little of anything can create a problem so its smart to educate yourself on the proper diet for your pet before winging it. For example younger pups have different dietary needs then a healthy adult dog, or an elderly dog. The correct amount of calcium to phosphorus for a puppy or growing dog is 1.2 parts of calcium for each 1 part phosphorus.
Rickets will affect the skeletal system, causing pain and tenderness in the bones, spine, lower back and legs. Muscle cramping is common. Deformaties of the pelvis; and legs, such as bowing will result if not properly and promptly treated. Your puppy may have late tooth development as a result of rickets or experience serious dental problems leading to a loss of teeth.
Being a responsible pet owner doesn’t always mean knowing everything, but it does mean being alert and aware of when something is changing or going wrong, so you can handle it properly and with the least discomfort to your pet. Rickets is completely treatable and in most cases bone damage is reversible if detected early. Vets can administer both calcium and vitamin d injections to help normalize your pets levels and return their bones to a healthy correct shape and continue on with proper development.
