FEEDING AND HIP DYSPLASIA
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BOULDER BROOK KENNEL BOX 1 MARKHAM, VA 22643
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Boykin Spaniels are active energetic dogs who will hunt all day. This requires food for energy. But overfeeding a pup while he is growing can be disastrous.
The study below shows a reduction of hip dysplasia by feeding 25% less food starting at age 8 weeks. The limited feed group had 57% less hip dysplasia by one measurement method and 72% hip dysplasia reduction by second measurement method.
PREVIOUSLY to 2003 I suggested
"Instead of feeding less quantity, you may be able to achieve the same results
by using a 20-21% protein food instead of a higher protein 26% puppy
food."
After years of recommending the
above feeding program, the
manufacturers of dog feed have caught up.
Several manufacturers have formulated a "LARGE DOG PUPPY" food
for pups which will be over 50-60 pounds at full growth. This new formulation generally has a lower fat level in the
10-12 % fat range but maintains a
higher protein amount of 26-28% protein. The lower fat reduces the calories and helps keep the
pups weight down. This should
reduce the hip stress from too much weight. It is my feeling that this approach may be as
effective as reducing the food intake by 25% which in effect reduces the
calorie amount, but also reduces
the needed protein. This new
formulation, by reducing the fat
from 15-20% to 10-12%, is essentially a direct reduction of caloric input, but
now has the advantage of protein
remaining at the same level.
Effects
of Limited Food consumption on the
Incidence of Hip Dysplasia in Growing Dogs
By: Dr. Richard K. Kealy, PhD,
Ralston-Purina Company
AKC Canine Health Foundation & American
Kennel Club
1997 National Parent Club Canine Health
Conference
Forty-eight 8-week old Labrador Retrievers were allotted to 2 groups of 24 dogs each; 1 group was fed ad libitum [ed.at ones pleasure or free feeding] and the other group was given 25% less of the same feed until the dogs were 2 years old. Radiography of the hip joints was done when the dogs were 30, 42, 54, 78, and 104 weeks old. Subluxation was measured by the Norberg angle on radiographs made with the dog in the standard (extended limb) position. Independent of age at which the radiography was done, there was less subluxation of the femoral heads in the limit-fed dogs. Using the Swedish method of hip joint evaluation on the same radiographs, it was found that fewer dogs on limited food intake had signs of hip dysplasia.
Radiographs done when dogs were 2 years old, for all the methods
used (Norberg angle, the OFA score, and the Swedish score), revealed less hip
dysplasia in the limit-fed dogs. Using the OFA method, 7 of the 24 limit-fed
dogs and 16 of the 24 ad libitum-fed dogs were diagnosed as having hip
dysplasia. Similarly, using the Swedish method, 5 of the 24 limit-fed dogs and
18 of the 24 ad libitum-fed dogs were diagnosed as having hip dysplasia. The
food-intake related differences were significant both for the OFA score and for
the Swedish score. There was a significant correlation between the Norberg
angle measured on the radiographs made with the dog in the standard position
when it was 30 weeks old and the result obtained when the dog was 2 years old
by the OFA and Swedish methods. The interrelationships of food intake and
genetics will be discussed. The role of early hip joint subluxation to later
osteoarthritis in those same joints will be covered. The findings support
the clinical recommendation to avoid overfeeding of growing dogs, particularly
in breeds prone to canine hip dysplasia.
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CONTACT BILL -
EMAIL: jwwiii@HOTMAIL.COM
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Boulder Brook Boykin, and
Boulder Brook Boykin Spaniel Kennel are copyright
©1999
©copyright 1999