[The effect of a different energy supply for growing Great Danes on the body mass and skeletal development. 3. Clinical picture and chemical studies of the skeleton]. / Uber den Einfluss einer uterschiedlichen Energieversorgung wachsender Doggen auf Körpermasse- und Skelettentwicklung. 3. Mitteilung: Klinisches Bild und chemische Skelettuntersuchungen

In growth studies with young Great Danes (0-6 months old), the effects of ad libitum (nine animals) or restricted feed supply (70-80% of ad libitum supply; 17 dogs, 9 of them bearing additional weight loads, 15% of body weight attached to the shoulder) were investigated with regard to development of the skeleton and bone composition. Growth disturbances of the skeleton were seen in every group, but the incidence increased with ad libitum feeding. Fast growth led to the valgus syndrome in fore- and hindlimbs, while hyperextensions of the carpal joint were seen, independently of the growth intensity. Weight loading in connection with energy restriction could not reproduce the same effects as ad libitum feeding. The mineral and protein concentrations in the bones (related to fat-free dry matter) were not affected either by the different feeding levels or by the weight loading.

[Osteochondrosis syndrome and arthropathia deformans as the cause of habitual and stationary luxatio incompleta of the sixth thoracic vertebra in laying hens with paralysis]. / Osteochondrose-Syndrom und Arthropathia deformans als Ursache der habituellen und stationären Luxatio incompleta des 6. Brustwirbels bei Legehennen mit Paralyse.

151 laying hens were kept in two experiments until the age of 610 or 786 days in floor pens, large cages with flat wire floor or small cages having inclined wire floor bottoms of 8 or 15 degrees. Paralysis was observed in 24 of the 151 hens. There was no relationship between the incidence of paralysis and the different housing systems. Fractures of the vertebral column or decreased stability of the skeleton were not observed. But in all of the 24 hens the paralysis was the result of the compressed spinal cord. The cause of the compression was the luxatio incompleta of the 6th thoracic vertebra. Different degrees of arthropathia deformans were observed in the diarthrotic vertebral joints of all the hens of the two experiments. The arthrotic lesions were accompanied by deformed articular surfaces. The destroyed and deformed articular surfaces were the cause of the instability of the 6th thoracic vertebra with spondylolisthesis or luxatio incompleta. The hypothesis, that the arthrotic lesions developed during the growing period of the hens, was supported by histological findings of disturbed growth of the epiphyseal cartilage. Overstressing of the epiphyseal cartilage was the causative agent of the arthrotic lesions in the vertebral joints. In this way the lesions are very similar to the osteochondrosis syndrome in broiler chickens and fast growing mammals.

Relationship between nutrition and bone growth in large and giant dogs.

The pathogenesis of the osteochondrosis syndrome was studied in large and giant breeds of dogs. Spontaneous cases of osteochondrosis were examined in large breed dogs, and experimental disease was investigated in Great Dane puppies fed ad libitum or restricted diets until 6 mo of age. This investigation concluded that the primary lesion occurring in osteochondrosis of dogs from the large and giant breeds is an acquired pattern of osteopenic and biomechanically weak subchondral spongiosa that cannot provide adequate bony support for the articular cartilage of joints. Excessive biomechanical loading of the inadequately supported epiphyseal articular cartilage leads to secondary disturbances in the nutrition, metabolism, function and viability of the chondrocytes in the developing joint surface. The primary lesion in the subchondral spongiosa develops when overnutrition (ad libitum feeding) overstimulates skeletal growth and cancellous bone remodelling mechanisms in those breeds of dogs who already have an inherent capacity for rapid skeletal growth. The epiphyseal spongiosa of rapidly growing dogs of the larger breeds is inherently less dense and less strong per unit area than epiphyseal spongiosa of dogs from the smaller breeds. Overnutrition in dogs from the larger breeds exaggerates this tendency to create osteopenia by increasing the rates of skeletal growth and remodeling of the newly formed cancellous bone. Accelerated rates of bone growth and bone remodeling act in concert to product a pattern of epiphyseal spongiosa that is composed of fine trabecular systems that are spaced relatively far apart and that are ultimately less strong per unit area than in small breeds of dogs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Cu deficiency in growing dogs]. / Untersuchungen zum Cu-Mangel beim wachsenden Hund.

It was the aim of the investigation to evaluate the influence of marginal (60-30 micrograms/kg BW/d) or adequate (680-360 micrograms/kg BW/d) Cu-intake on the development of growing beagles (n = 10) and the incidence of skeletal diseases. Low Cu-intake (6 dogs) reduced Cu-concentrations in plasma (1.4 vs. 9.7 mumol/l), hair (3.3-4.5 vs. 12.6-14.5 mg/kg DM), liver (19 vs. 246 mg/kg fat free DM), bile (0.28 vs. 7.04 mg/l), and other samples significantly. Hemoglobin and packed cell volume decreased after 4 months of depletion (normochromic anemia). First clinical signs of Cu-deficiency were depigmentation and greying of hair, followed by hyperextensions in the distal forelegs. After necropsy deformations of the long bones were seen more frequently in the depleted animals, without distinct alterations of the microstructure or chemical composition of bones or tendons.

Solanum malacoxylon poisoning in pigs.

Solanum malacoxylon was given orally to four pigs. The animals were examined clinically and subjected to post mortem examination. Macroscopic lesions were not seen with the exception of a small calcified plaque in the endocardium of one animal. Microscopic examinations revealed slight calcification of elastic fibres in the soft tissues. The pathological changes in the bones were extensive and are described in detail. The pigs showed minimal lesions at dose levels which cause considerable systemic calcification in cattle and sheep.