Preventing arthrosis in puppies

The foundation stone of many bone ailments is already laid in the puppy age. Especially large and heavy breeds are at risk for chronic joint problems. So the puppy must be raised consciously and carefully so that no undesirable developments occur.

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The dog's musculoskeletal system consists of bones and joints. This part is called the passive part of the musculoskeletal system. The active part includes the skeletal musculature, which attaches to the various bone points. The dog has about 300 bones regardless of its size.

The natural growth curve

During growth, the long tubular bones, such as the thighs, show what is known as growth joints at their ends, where growth progresses. At these joints, the bone grows up to its genetically determined length. When the predetermined size is reached, the growth joints close. The period of closure varies from bone to bone and from breed to breed between 12 and 24 months.

Growth is based on a fixed growth curve, which is individually dependent on breed, sex, and later size. It is very important to adhere to this natural growth curve, which is particularly steep up to the 6th month of life.

The growth curve flattens out from the 6th month of life onwards and then ends at about one year of age.

After the growth has been completed and the final size has been reached, the growth joints of the young bones close. Only from this point on is the bone fully loadable.

The correct movement of the puppy

The most important therapy for joint problems is their prevention. In addition to a leisurely rearing, a healthy balanced diet and the use of genetically perfect breeding animals, the correct movement of the young dog is an important factor.

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Puppies growing should not walk stairs or jump into the car, as joints and bones are still unstable and the growth joints are not yet closed.

If the juvenile bones are overloaded by climbing stairs or jumping, the growth processes are misdirected and diseases of the musculoskeletal system and malpositions are pre-programmed. As a rule of thumb, it should be noted that the larger the breed, the more gentle the young dog is to move. Factors such as overweight and injuries put additional strain on bones and joints.

Feeding healthy puppies

Disturbances of the skeleton formation in young dogs have partly a genetic background, which is already scientifically proven with some breeds. However, nutrition also plays an important role in the development or absence of such diseases. Mistakes made during the growth phase of the puppy, during feeding, can often have fatal consequences.

Particularly serious is a too high supply of food and therefore a too high energy supply of the puppy. This causes too fast growth especially with large breeds or giant breeds. This very often results in skeletal and growth disorders, which can lead to painful arthrosis and malpositions later in life.

Further mistakes in the puppy nutrition are the over- or undersupply of important minerals. The correct calcium-phosphorus ratio plays an important role here. The ideal calcium-phosphorus ratio in food should be 1.4:1 (Ca:P).

It may be extended up to a ratio of 2.1. Further differences are to be avoided however absolutely. If the dog gets too little calcium, this can lead to unstable bones, because the hard bone substance builds up from calcium. If too much calcium is administered, the bones become malformed or malformed, which in turn can lead to problems.