Related Experiment Videos
[Skeletal development in the dog in relation to nutrition]
R C Nap1, H A Hazewinkel, A T van 't Klooster
1Afdeling Orthopedie van de vakgroep Geneeskunde van Gezelschapsdieren, Faculteit Diergeneeskunde, Rijksuniversiteit Utrecht.
Tijdschrift Voor Diergeneeskunde
|June 15, 1991
Summary
Proper nutrition is crucial for healthy canine growth. Overfeeding or imbalances in energy, calcium, and phosphorus can lead to skeletal issues, emphasizing the need for controlled feeding and complete diets.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Nutrition
- Skeletal Biology
Context:
- Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) are key regulators of skeletal development in dogs.
- Nutritional status significantly impacts GH and IGF-I levels, affecting growth and ossification.
- Improper nutrition, including overfeeding or nutrient imbalances, can cause skeletal abnormalities like osteochondrosis and hip dysplasia.
Purpose:
- To review the critical roles of nutrition in canine growth and skeletal development.
- To highlight the detrimental effects of nutritional imbalances on enchondral ossification and overall growth.
- To provide guidance on appropriate feeding practices for growing dogs.
Summary:
- Nutritional factors such as energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D critically influence canine skeletal development.
- Fasting and overfeeding disrupt hormonal balances (GH, IGF-I, sex hormones) and nutrient availability, leading to growth delays or skeletal deformities.
- Specific nutritional errors, like oversupplementation of energy and calcium, are common and detrimental to young dogs.
Impact:
- Understanding these nutritional impacts is vital for preventing skeletal diseases in growing dogs.
- Recommendations include restricted feeding and avoiding food additives when using complete commercial diets.
- This knowledge aids veterinarians and owners in optimizing canine health and preventing developmental orthopedic diseases.