Species: Dog
Condition: Hypertophic Osteodystrophy
Organ System: Nervous/sensory
A bone disease that primarily affects large dog breeds, particularly the young and rapidly growing ones, HOD causes severe lameness affecting multiple limbs and pain. It is also called Moller-Barlow’s disease, skeletal scurvy, metaphyseal osteopathy, and osteodystrophy II. A higher incidence has been recorded in puppies between 3-6 months of age. The disease usually affects both the hind limbs and forelimbs at the same time with symptoms recurring and resolving on their own. A dog may suffer from permanent structural damage or even die when fever remains high for a considerable period of time coupled with severe bone involvement. Diagnosis is based on a thorough physical exam coupled with symptoms and history. Radiographic tests can also help pinpoint the cause of the problem. Supportive treatment can help alleviate signs. Anti-inflammatories, painkillers and antibiotics are usually part of the protocol. In severe cases, steroid may be prescribed by your veterinarian however its use is often regulated because of its immunosuppressive qualities. Since the cause of the problem has not been fully understood, prevention may be multi-tiered including protection against bacterial infections, vitamin C deficiency, and problems associated with nutrition.
Breeds exposed to Hypertophic Osteodystrophy – Research Reference
Akita Inu Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Borzoi Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Alsatian Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Basset Hound Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Briard Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Golden Retriever Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
“Labradoodle Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & (Brockman
English Setter Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Irish Water Spaniel Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Doberman Pinscher Cross – (Burrows & Ignaszewski 1990)
American Akita Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Bouvier Des Flandres Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Boxer Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Gordon Setter Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Dobermann Cross – (Burrows & Ignaszewski 1990)
Chow Chow Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Rottweiler Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
“Poodle – Standard Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & (Brockman
Wolfhound Cross – (Sargan 2004)
Mastiff Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
St Bernard Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Deerhound Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Irish Setter Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Irish Wolfhound Cross – (Sargan 2004)
German Shepherd Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Weimaraner Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
“Schnoodle Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & (Brockman
Irish Red and White Setter Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Doberman Pinscher – (Burrows & Ignaszewski 1990)
Borzoi – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Bouvier Des Flandres – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Boxer – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Briard – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
German Shepherd – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Golden Retriever – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Gordon Setter – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Great Dane – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Irish Setter – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Irish Water Spaniel – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Komondor – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Rottweiler – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
St Bernard – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Weimaraner – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Alsatian – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Irish Red and White Setter – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Akita Inu – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Basset Hound – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Bloodhound – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Bullmastiff – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Chow Chow – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Deerhound – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
English Setter – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Mastiff – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
“Poodle – Standard – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & (Brockman
“Golden Doodle (Groodle) – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & (Brockman
Japanese Akita – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
“Labradoodle – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & (Brockman
American Akita – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
“Schnoodle – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & (Brockman
“Spoodle – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & (Brockman
Labrador Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Bullmastiff Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Bloodhound Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Great Dane Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Labrador Retriever Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
“Spoodle Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & (Brockman
Labrador – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Labrador Retriever – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Dobermann – (Burrows & Ignaszewski 1990)
Irish Wolfhound – (Sargan 2004)
Wolfhound – (Sargan 2004)
Komondor Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Japanese Akita Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Disease Author
Dr Merliza Cabriles, Professor of Veterinary Medicine
To learn more about Hypertophic Osteodystrophy or any other condition we invite you to search this website. Even better, pick up the phone and call your vet. Your vet knows your pet better than anyone else and is a fountain of information.
