Question: I adopted a rescue puppy who has very crooked legs that bend outwards and he was diagnosed with rickets. I'm really not sure where to start - I'm not even sure what causes it!
Dr Larry Kraitzick of Bruma Lake Veterinary Clinic replies...
Rickets is a condition that affects the bones of young, growing dogs, causing them to swell and bend.
The causes of rickets are:
-
Nutritional Deficiencies:
The primary cause is a lack of essential nutrients in a puppy's diet, specifically Vitamin D, calcium, or phosphorus. -
Improper Nutrient Ratios:
Even if the total amount of these nutrients is present, an incorrect balance between calcium and phosphorus can also lead to rickets. -
Insufficient Sunlight Exposure:
Sunlight converts Vitamin D into its active form. Insufficient exposure to light can contribute to this condition.
Luckily, rickets is uncommon today in places where dogs have access to proper food. It's mainly seen in places like puppy mills, in puppies on homemade diets that lack the right balance of nutrients, and where puppies are kept inside in places where they don't have access to natural light. Giving your dog too many supplements without a vet's advice can also be very dangerous, especially for large-breed puppies.
More about rickets
When a puppy has rickets, the soft parts of their bones don't harden correctly. This makes the bones weak, so they can bend and swell from normal activities.
Dogs with rickets may show signs like:
- Pain in their joints
- Limping
- Bowed legs
- Swollen bones
- Bones that break easily
If rickets is caught early, before the bones have finished growing, the bone problems can be minimised with treatment. If the bones have already stopped growing, surgery is often needed to correct the deformities.
With proper treatment, including good nutrition, controlled exercise, and pain management, a dog with rickets may be able to live a happy life.
