Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 8:56 pm Post subject: WARNING ~ Do not give calcium supplements to growing dogs!
Today I had the unfortunate opportunity to see first hand the disastrous effects of giving calcium supplements to a growing, large breed dog
At six months, the dog's lower forelimbs and feet have turned outwards and his knees are overly large, with painful anterior overgrowths. His lower hindlimbs were also turning out from the hock, but not as pronounced as his forelimbs. A recent bank of tests showed that his blood calcium level was very high. It turned out that in addition to feeding the dog a complete pet food, since seven weeks of age the owner had been giving him a calcium-rich joint supplement.
Puppies and young dogs that are fed a commercially prepared COMPLETE food, regardless of brand and whether or not it is a large breed formula, do not need calcium supplements!
I feel sorry for all concerned here. The owners probably thought they were doing the best for their pup, perhaps having been given bad advice from somewhere. A sad story all around.
It is rather sad all round, and a case of people thinking that they were doing the right thing but without seeking any kind of professional advice before going ahead.
I'm not sure what will happen with the pup. X-rays have been taken and although the vet didn't seem to think that the overgrowths were causing the pup any pain, when I saw him today and after getting him really relaxed before handling his joints, he consistently curled his lip and gave a little growl when I ran my fingers over the overgrowth on his left knee. He is also the most unenthusiastic six month old I have ever come across, which is also telling I think.
I really just wanted to post this as a warning for all new pup owners, and to help get the information 'out there' - if it educates just one person so that they don't make the same mistake ...
They were doggy supplements. I didn't see the bottle as the dog wasn't at his owners' home when I saw him today. I'm not all that comfortable with saying any more about it right now, I really just wanted to get the info out there
Such a sad story poor people and poor puppy I hope he can be kept pain free in some way
Sorry Lizi can I be nosey and ask what you do for a living as I gather from this you are treating this poor puppy? It's just that I'm starting a Canine Myotherapists course this year and wondered if you worked in a similar role - sorry just being nosey !!! x
I always think I was really lucky with my Lurcher, as it was quite common practise in the 80's to give pups Calcium Supplements, so I used to put some in her dinner most nights . Thankfully she never suffered because of it, but I know lot of other young dogs did do. I most certainly would never use it again, unless for some reason the dog had a proven calcium deficiency.
They were doggy supplements. I didn't see the bottle as the dog wasn't at his owners' home when I saw him today. I'm not all that comfortable with saying any more about it right now, I really just wanted to get the info out there
Ah OK thanks Lizi, that's very worrying then. Poor dog.
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. Thankfully she never suffered because of it, but I know lot of other young dogs did do. I most certainly would never use it again, unless for some reason the dog had a proven calcium deficiency.
