What is osteochondrodysplasia? Osteochondrodysplasia is an abnormality of cartilage (chondro-) and bone (osteo-) growth and development. It is a general term that encompasses many disorders involving bone growth in animals. The skeletal abnormalities usually involve the leg bones, specifically the region in the bone where a bone grows in length called the metaphyseal growth plates. What causes osteochondrodysplasia? Osteochondrodysplasia is an inherited condition. Littermates are often affected. One type of osteochondrodysplasia called achondroplasia is a failure of cartilage and bone to grow in the leg bones. It is characterized by a proportionate short-legged abnormality evident soon after birth. Hypochondrodysplasia is a less severe form of achondrodysplasia. Some dog breeders have selected certain of these traits as desirable, and this has resulted in the development of many dog breeds in which all the individual dogs of that breed are achondrodysplastic and hypochondrodysplastic.Breeds considered achondroplastic include the Bulldog, Boston terrier, Pug, Pekingese, Japanese spaniel, and Shih- Tzu
Breeds considered hypochondroplastic include the Dachshund, Basset hound, Beagle, Welsh corgi, Dandie Dinmont terrier, Scottish terrier, and Skye terrier
What are the signs of osteochondrodysplasia?
If your dog is a breed that has been selected for one of these traits, then the dog looks normal to you. In those dogs where the condition is not typical of the breed, the pet may be presented to the veterinarian due to obvious skeleton deformities or because of retarded growth. Deformities most often appear in the leg bones (appendicular skeleton) but they may also occur in the spine. The legs of affected animals appear shorter than normal and they are often bowed-legged. The major joints such as elbow, knee (stifle), wrist (carpus), and ankle (tarsus) often appear enlarged. The front legs may appear more severely affected due to different growth rates of the two foreleg bones located between elbow and wrist. Bowing of the foreleg, displacement of the paw and enlargement of the carpus are common findings. Over time, arthritis can develop, causing pain in the joints.Breeds considered at risk include the Alaskan malamute, Samoyed, Laborador retriever, English pointer, Norwegian elkhound, Great Pyrenees, Cocker spaniel, Scottish terrier and Scottish deerhound. Some dogs with this bony problem also have eye abnormalities. Retinal dysplasia (a developmental defect of the cell layers of the retina), and partial or even complete retinal detachment has been associated with this condition in Labrador retrievers and Samoyeds. How is osteochondrodysplasia diagnosed? Your veterinarian may suspect osteochondrodysplasia after examining your pet. Radiographs (X-rays) of the affected legs are required to confirm the presence and severity of the condition. Occasionally, a bone biopsy may be required to identify the microscopic changes that are associated with the disease. How is osteochondrodysplasia treated? There is no known treatment for this disease. Pain relievers (analgesics), anti-inflammatory drugs, and cartilage protecting drugs may improve the quality of life for your pet. Surgically straightening the bones may offer some degree of improvement in certain cases. What is the prognosis for animals with osteochondrodysplasia?
In dog breeds where the condition has been selected for and in which the dog's conformation is "normal" for the breed, the dog lives a life that is normal for that breed.In other dogs, the long-term prognosis for animals affected with osteochondrodysplasia is guarded to poor because of the arthritis that develops. Breedings that result in offspring with deformities consistent with osteochondrodysplasia should not be repeated. Breeding of animals afflicted with osteochondrodysplasia is strongly discouraged. |
