A RADIOGRAPHIC STUDY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ANTEBRACHIUM IN GREAT-DANE PUPS, RAISED UNDER STANDARDIZED CONDITIONS

Radiographic examination of the antebrachium was performed in 16 healt hy Great Danes, raised under standardized conditions, at six-week inte rvals from 9 to 27 weeks of age. The dogs were fed according to the Na tional Research Council's nutrient requirements of dogs (1974). The de velopment of the secondary ossification centers and the growth in leng th of the radius and ulna were noted. In the majority of dogs changes in the shape and structure of the distal ulnar metaphysis resembled di sturbances in cartilage maturation and bone maturation and remodelling . An improvement in the radiographic appearance of the distal ulnar me taphysis was noted at the age of 27 weeks. It is concluded that the de licate processes that are involved in skeletal development may be freq uently disturbed in fast growing, giant-breed dogs, without causing cl inical problems.