thebodj

k our puppy has been diagnosed with rickets from our vet. hes 10 weeks old also. he is about 16 lbs already. we were feeding him puppy iams food our breeder told us to give him, but we took him to the vet, and he says its rickets. he is so week in his front paws and legs they sometimes give out. we just recently changed his food, as directed from our vet, and he says it will take about 2 weeks to see a big improvement, but there is another problem. it may be genetic. so were waiting on the blood tests and we get the results back tomorrow. i have been reading on here that some people have been giving their dogs supplements, and they have gotten much better, but my vet really discouraged them. any ideas? i really appreciate all your answers.

voodoolizard

??? get a second oppinion from a second vet ??
change to adult food to slow growth ??
good luck..

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Zeus,Missy & Clare

DobeMomToo

I've never had a dog with Rickets, but as I understand it, the disease is due to:

• Insufficient phosphorus in the diet - phosphorus is an important mineral which is a major component of bone along with calcium.

• Insufficient vitamin D in the diet - vitamin D is needed for normal absorption of minerals from the intestine, and for the release of minerals from bone.

• Insufficient sunlight - many animals can make their own vitamin D if they are exposed to natural sunlight.

Simply put, the disease is caused by a nutritional deficiency, or an inability to absorb nutrients from the intestine due to insufficient Vitamin D.

This then results in cartilage that forms but does not calcify properly, the bone does not become rigid and it does not develop normally. Eventually weight bearing and movement causes bending deformities in the bones.

Key is a diet forumlated for young, growing, large breed dogs.

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DobeMomToo



"Life is like a dogsled team. If you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes."
--Lewis Grizzard

thebodj

k thanx. also, when he sleeps, he breathes pretty shallow and rapidly, then holds his breath, then keeps giong.

DobeMomToo

Lots of puppies do that when they get into deep sleep...

I wouldn't worry about that one too much!

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DobeMomToo



"Life is like a dogsled team. If you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes."
--Lewis Grizzard

Patches Mom

What food did the vet recomend?
Hope the puppy can get better soon.
Patches Mom

Dobes&Hounds

I had a puppy with rickets and he was put on Osteoform. It is Calcium/phosphorus/vitamin D.

BALANCED!! You cannot just give calcium as it will cause skeletal problems. Treating rickets can be dangerous. You have to give the correct dosage of tablets too. Please don't buy Osteoform and just give it to your dog. Find a vet who will monitor his growth.

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JW Mercury's Secret Obsession OA OAJ WAC CGC HIC UDC ATT

*My Soul Mate*
1996-2007

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog & a man.
- Mark Twain

thebodj

k thanx for all the replies. he just said to give him something like science diet.

Lexxsmom

ugh science diet... i'm sorry to all those that feed science diet, but i consider it to be a terrible food...

i would find a second vet and get a second opinion

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Leanne and Lexx


Dragon Slaying Dobermans Incorporated, member #001, President.
" I don't need to sit for the cookie, I hunt dragons all day dammit!"
Lexxington's blog: http://lexxslife.blogspot.com/

gracieface

I'm with you Leeanne, I discourage people from science diet, the only thing I use from are the treats I pick up cheap at shows.

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Elizabeth
Dobermans aren't my whole life, they just make it whole.