Studies on prevalence, clinico-pathological, diagnostic and therapeutic-managemental aspects of canine rickets
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Date
2022-07
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G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar
Abstract
The present research work “Studies on prevalence, clinico-pathological, diagnostic and therapeutic-managemental aspects of canine rickets” was carried out in the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. I.P. Singh Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex and Trauma Centre, C.V.A.Sc., GBPUAT, Pantnagar from November 2021 to June 2022. In addition, a prevalence study of Canine Rickets was carried out by conducting the retrospective study and routine screening of young dogs suffering from skeletal/locomotory problems at various private and Government Veterinary polyclinics and hospitals of nearby areas and adjoining areas of Uttar Pradesh. The prevalence study comprised 45000 cases of the total canine population, out of which 404 (0.89%) were determined to be positive for Rickets. Overall prevalence of rickets was found highest in Dehradun (0.26%), followed by Moradabad (0.18%), Haldwani (0.2%), Rudrapur (0.16%), Bareilly (0.057%) and Pantnagar (0.02%). Out of the 24 cases of rickets screened for study, males (70%) were more affected as compared to the females (30%). The prevalence of rickets was highest in the 3-6 months age group (66.66%), followed by 0-3 months age group (25%), 6-9 months(8.33%). The breed wise prevalence of rickets in breeds like GSD, Labrador, Non-descript, Spitz and others was 29.16%, 25%, 16.6%, 12.5%, 16.66%, respectively. Most of the cases were presented with clinical signs like pain in limbs, lameness, bowed limbs, enlarged distal metaphysis, paw deviation, difficulty in walking with varying severity. Radiographic findings include varying degrees of cortical thinning, broadening of distal metaphysis, widening of medullary cavity and increased physeal thickness. There was significant decrease in levels of hemoglobin, PCV, calcium and Vitamin D in rickets affected dogs as compared with healthy control group. On the other hand, the levels of ALP, phosphorus and BUN in rachitic dogs increased significantly as compared to healthy control group. Other parameters like TEC, TLC, DLC, total protein, globulin, creatinine does not show significant variation between healthy group and affected groups. The 24 cases of rickets screened for study were divided in to 4 groups and treated with different therapeutic regimen. Group A was treated with injectable Vitamin D3; Group B was treated with oral calcium; Group C was treated with a combination of calcium, phosphorus and cod liver oil; Group D was treated with oral calcium and phosphorus along with injectable Vitamin D. The clinical and hemato-biochemical examination was done at day 0, day 30 and day 60 to evaluate improvement among all the affected animals. Combination of oral calcium, phosphorus and injectable Vitamin D showed best results and is recommended for the treatment of canine rickets followed by combination of calcium, phosphorus and cod liver oil, injectable Vitamin D and Calcium with percent recovery of 83.33%, 83.33 %, 66.66%, 50% respectively.