The subject of bone and general structural development in dogs has been rather controversial for many years, and still many questions are unanswered. Genetic versus nutritional factors are in question; much research is still indicated, in the absence of this, clinical evaluations are of great importance. This article is based on several years of clinical evaluation of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D supplements in dogs, as well as poultry and farm animals. Many well-controlled research trials were done on poultry.

I first evaluated a particular calcium/phosphorus supplement in commercial poultry, where abnormally soft bone development, especially in the hock joint, was an extensive problem. This was especially prevalent in the biggest, fastest-growing birds. These birds would be critically bowlegged or knock-kneed, the ligaments having torn medially and/or laterally, with the joints subsequently deformed. The “softening” or demineralization effect is noticeable first at the epiphysis and general “head” or joint regions, this allowing tearing loose of ligament attachments, this problem was entirely corrected, with supplementation, in several dozen well controlled research trials, and hundreds of flocks, clinically.

Upon returning to veterinary small animal practice in 1971, I began noticing changes in large breeds of dogs similar to those in poultry. The first was a 5-month-old St. Bernard male, large boned and obviously fast-growing, that was completely down in the pasterns, so lame he could hardly hobble around. his hips also were lame. Both front legs were splinted for support, an injection of long-acting cortisone was given, and, most important, my vitamin D, phosphorus and calcium supplement was given in food, Chloramphenicol was given for several days to control any possible secondary infections.

When the splints were removed ten days later, the improvement was dramatic, and in three weeks he was essentially normal, he reached a weight of 200 lbs. and never showed clinical evidence of lameness or hip dysphasia.

Since that time I have observed at least six thousand puppies of various breeds, raised to at least two years of age, with no clinical evidence of hip dysplasia, many were x-rayed, some O.F.A. certified, but most were not.

I have taken several dogs: saints, keeshonden, g. shepherds, malamutes, golden retrievers, etc., that were declared by their veterinarians as “beginning to moderate dysplasia” at three to five months of age, placed them on the described program, and reversed clinical signs and to a large degree, even the radiograph picture. Some have O.F.A. certified “good” at two years of age.

In another interesting case, a client bred two badly dysplastic malamutes to get a litter of six puppies, 2 male and 4 female. They were split into two groups, at 6 wks. of age, by sex and weight. Test and control groups received the same feed, management program and vitamins. The test group received my supplement program. The control group received a commonly used dicalcium phosphate, having a ca/p ratio of 1.75/1. The test group led the controls in weight and clinical development up to two years of age. even though the controls were not dysplastic (interesting fact} clinically, and were essentially “normal”, the test group by all records and observations was very obviously superior in development.

My observations make it difficult for me to believe that hip dysplasia, (at least most clinically evident cases}, is genetically transmitted. It is my opinion that the genetics of hip dysplasia is the genetics of “growth rate”. The fast growing bloodlines of a given breed are the ones that get hip dysplasia; the slow growing, almost never, rapid growth, hence heavy mineral (esp. phosphorus) demand, coupled with inadequate minerals in feeds, may result in dysplasia. A sound exercise program is also essential; apartment raised dogs tend to have more problems. Cartilage, tendon and ligament, as well as bone development is affected. The supplement program obviously enables dogs to more fully reach their true genetic potential for structural development. It also helps build ear cartilage in ear trimmed dogs, so they stand up well, or in g. shepherds, etc., whose ears stand untrimmed.

I heard a veterinarian from Ohio State University, a few years ago, describe studies they did — I don’t know if they published — on the hip joints of puppies. The necks of the femurs were transected in one group the head of the femur was screwed into the acetabulum, with the femur unattached, in the other group the head of the femur was removed. In the first group a nice, deep, tight acetabulum formed around the head of the femur, even though it was not mobile or functional. In the second group where the head was removed, the acetabulum was almost a straight line; no socket, therefore, it would seem that a tight joint is essential for normal development to occur, when a joint is loose from pulled ligaments (from poor mineralization) then bad wear factor plus poor development are supper- imposed to ,rapidly progress into dysplasia. This can all be averted by using the supplement.

Basically, what I hope to accomplish with the supplement is to arrive at a final food containing equal amounts of calcium and phosphorus, with a total level of at least 1.0% each, in addition to 400 mg vitamin D, many good foods are low in phosphorus, largely because they calculate and analyze in the phytin (plant) phosphorus, which is only about 18% available to the animal.

Cases of Frank Rickets have responded dramatically to the supplement.

There is now some indication that high levels of vitamin c are important to good collagen (the binding substance in tendons and ligaments) production.

The supplement ingredients to which I have referred are now available in a chewable tablet form containing all the phosphorus (highly available, water soluble form), calcium, vitamins A and D. The performance of the tablets is equal to previously used mixes and is highly palatable. It is my sincere belief that these tablets, if used properly, could be indispensable to the pet industry and veterinary medicine.