NUTRITION AND OSTEOCHONDROSIS

Developmental orthopedic disease is a group of musculoskeletal disorde rs that occur in growing animals (most commonly fast growing, large br eed dogs). Osteochondritis dissecans and canine hip dysplasia are the overwhelming majority of the diagnoses in those musculoskeletal proble ms with a possible nutritional-related etiology. Nutritional managemen t alone will not completely control osteochondrosis or any of the deve lopmental bone diseases. However, osteochondrosis and other developmen tal orthopedic diseases can be influenced during growth by feeding tec hnique and nutrient profile. Dietary deficiencies are of minimal conce rn in this age of commercial foods specifically prepared for young, gr owing dogs. The potential for harm is in overnutrition from excess con sumption and over supplementation.