Metabolic Bone Disease
Metabolic bone diseases are characterized by a thinning and loss of bony mass, predisposing the bone to fractures and growth deformities. The most common metabolic bone disease seen in dogs and cats is hyperparathyroidism. This condition is characterized by a calcium deficiency within the body that leads to abnormal bone growth and bone resorption as the body tries to correct the low calcium levels in the bloodstream.
Clinical signs:
1. lameness
2. weakness of bones
3. deformation of joints
4. changes
Diagnosis is based on radiographic X-ray findings and on blood calcium measurements. Treatment for nutritionally related bone disease obviously involves changes in the diet and calcium supplementation.
Another type of metabolic bone disease that can affect cats is called hypervitaminosis A. This condition is seen in those cats fed an exclusive diet of liver, which contain high levels of vitamin A.
Clinical signs:
1. skeletal and muscular changes
2. bony uglinesses
3. pain
4. animal immovability
5. alloy of a vertebral column
The diagnosis is made on clinical signs and the radiographic analysis of a backbone and extremities.
Treatment: balanced diet, introduction of anti-inflammatory drugs
Mucopolysaccharidosis (Cats)
Mucopolysaccharidosis is an inherited disorder that has been documented in Siamese cats. It results from an enzyme deficiency that allows polysaccharide carbohydrates to accumulate within the cells of the body.
The skeletal system is particularly affected, with stricken cats suffering from bony spurs on the vertebrae, arthritis and abnormal formation of the joints, and a generalized osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones themselves. Diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidosis is made by physical examination, blood tests, and radiographic X rays of the skeletal system. A special test that detects mucopolysaccharides in the urine can also be employed in diagnosing this disorder. Myositis and Myopathies
Myositis is inflammation of muscle tissue that results in pain, weakness, and muscle atrophy (shrinking). Myositis can be caused by a number of different disease entities, including toxoplasmosis, leptospirosis, bacterial infections (abscesses), low blood potassium (see text below), and autoimmune disease. One special type of myositis, called masticatory myositis, affects the facial muscles of affected dogs, causing atrophy and the inability to chew normally.
Myositis is diagnosed using clinical signs and blood tests designed to detect increased levels in muscle enzymes within the blood. In especially elusive cases, biopsy samples taken from suspected muscle tissue can help veterinarians obtain a definitive diagnosis.
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Treatment: appropriate antimicrobial or antiparasitic therapy will help relieve the myositis. Anti-inflammatory medications can also be used to relieve the pain and discomfort associated with the inflammation until the underlying cause is treated.
The term myopathy refers to abnormal anatomy and/or function of skeletal muscle tissue within the body. Chow chows, golden retrievers, and Irish terriers are examples of breeds that can suffer from inherited myopathies. Dogs suffering from myopathies exhibit abnormal postures, stiff gaits, and generalized shrinking or atrophy of the muscles. Because of the inherited nature of these diseases, the onset of clinical signs usually occurs within a year of age.
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