IRISH WOLFHOUND SOCIETY OF IRELAND
New knowledge of skeletal diseases in rapidly-growing dog breeds
 Photo: Astrid Indrebø, NVH |
The degree studied the relationship between the speed of
growth of young dogs and the development of common skeletal
diseases such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. A common
conception is that rapidly-growing breeds have a greater
risk of developing certain types of skeletal illness.
However, no comprehensive research has been conducted in
dogs in a domestic environment to establish this.
This thesis is the result of a study of some seven hundred
dogs of four different breeds that lived at home with their
owners. The dogs were followed closely from birth until the
age of two years. Weight was measured, blood samples were
collected, and the lower forelimbs were x-rayed several
times. Normal growth curves have now been established for
these breeds for the first time. It turns out that the four
breeds have different patterns of growth and that bitches
grow more slowly than dogs (males).
Surprisingly, the study showed that the Labrador retriever
grows faster than the Newfoundland, Irish wolfhound and the
Leonberger, indicating that the largest breeds do not
necessarily grow the fastest. The predominating view of the
correlation between rapid growth and high incidence of
common skeletal diseases therefore has to be revised.
Through her doctoral work, Trangerud discovered a new
condition in the skeleton of the Newfoundland, which she
found in nearly half of the young dogs. The condition
resembles human bone dysplasia, but it is presently unclear
just what clinical consequences the condition has for
affected dogs.
Personal details
Cathrine Trangerud was born in 1967. She graduated from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science in 1996, and is today attached to the Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, section of small animals diseases.
Cathrine Trangerud was born in 1967. She graduated from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science in 1996, and is today attached to the Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, section of small animals diseases.