Radiological and biochemical evaluation of bone growth in young dogs

Authors tried to find out a correlation between chronological age, inorganic phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) with some radiological signs obtained from a periodical study of different sexes and breeds (small-middle-large) of dogs right foreleg from weaning to the end of osseous growth. They confirmed the period when ossification centres come in sight. The first centre appears at 3 weeks of life (humerus) and the last one at 8-10 weeks (scapular tuberosity). Epiphyseal fusion begins with the accessory carpal bone (16-20 weeks). Osseous development finished around 40 weeks with the fusion of proximal humerus and radius epiphyseal plates. During the work the ALP and P serum decreased values were significant (p less than 0.001), but Ca were not significant (p less than 0.05). There were good correlations with chronological age and both P (r = 0.98) and ALP values (r = 0.90). There was none correlation between age and Ca. When the osseous growth finished, Ca and P reached adult levels, but ALP was still elevated.