HOD (Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy)?

Question

How common is HOD in mixed breed dogs?
I have a Great Pyrenees/Golden Retriever mix.
How likely do you think it would be for her to have HOD triggered from a distemperment vaccine? Since from what I've read, Goldens are one of the breeds this commonly affects, and Pyrs are Giant Breed dogs which is also commonly affected.

I've already asked the vet and she's never even heard of HOD. I'm going to bring her some literature on it, as she requested, but should I be looking into getting another vet?

my dog will be 10 weeks old on thursday. She is "due" for her 2nd set of shots on friday, but I wanna make sure she is not at high risk for this disease before I go through with the vaccines.

Answer 1

Hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD) is not an extremely rare condition, so I would probably look for a vet that is familiar with it. HOD causes lameness and extreme pain in young growing dogs, usually of a large breed. Great Danes, German Shepherds, Dobermans, Golden Retrievers (all retrieving breeds, actually) and Weimaraners are examples of breeds that may be affected by this condition. It appears to occur in Weimaraners as a vaccine reaction and this may also affect Mastiffs and Great Danes. It's less common as a reaction in the other affected breeds. In this case, it usually occurs a few days after vaccination and may appear to be worse than the "average" case on radiographs.

HOD usually shows up as an acute lameness, often seeming to affect all four legs simultaneously. Affected dogs may stand in a "hunched up" stance or refuse to stand up at all. They may have a fever but this is not consistently present. They usually have painful swellings around the lower joints on the legs. Some puppies will die from this disease, some suffer permanent disablity, but many recover later. The disease is so painful that many owners elect to euthanize the puppy rather than watch it suffer, despite the reasonably good chance for recovery, in the long term. Affected dogs may be so ill that they refuse to eat.

X-rays confirm this diagnosis in most cases. There are very typical X-ray changes, although it can look a little like bone infection from a septic condition. There is some evidence at this point that viral or bacterial infections may underlie some cases of HOD as canine distemper virus has been found in the affected areas in some dogs. There can be high white blood cell counts and the alkaline phosphatase level in the blood stream is often elevated also.

Treatment usually consists of analgesic medications such as aspirin or carprofen (Rimadyl) to control the pain. Since a viral or bacterial agent may be involved in this problem the use of corticosteroids is questionable. Many people try switching to a diet that is lower in calcium (puppy foods for large dogs may be a good choice now that they are available; previously many people switched to adult dog foods which didn't always result in lower total calcium in the diet). Even more potent pain relief medications may be indicated in some puppies. Hydrocodone and aspirin may be a more effective combination than either one alone. Antibiotics are often given for this condition. There is a rumor that vitamin C supplements are beneficial for dogs with HOD. This appears to be a false rumor, and there is some evidence that vitamin C may actually promote abnormal calcification in these puppies.

The primary goal of treatment is to control the pain as effectively as possible, and since your vet is not at all familiar with the condition, I'd see another vet ASAP. Treating HOD can be tricky, so an experienced vet would be a better bet, in my opinion.
Good luck!

Answer 2

I am pretty sure your vet heard of this. She wouldn't be a vet if she hasn't heard of it. This is common in large breed dogs. Hod usually strikes puppies between the ages of 3 to 6 months and it affexts males more commonly than females and there doesn't seem to be inherited.. It just not the mixed breed dogs. It is all large dogs. You didn't say how old your dog was.

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I am sure you dog will be ok..I know you must be worried. Just wait and see. Give her her shots she is going to need them. And we will hope for the best. alright.

Answer 3

I find it hard to believe a vet doesn't know anything. Ive heard of it more in dobermans but it supposed to be any large breed pure or mixed Im sure would fit that bill. The larger dogs have a quick growth rate that I believe has something to do with it. It is supposed to be from distemper shots.

I would get another vet.

Answer 4

HOD isn't that common, though it does happen. Of all the people I know who have labs (pets and in the breeder community), I have only run accross one dog with HOD.

I think it's very unlikely. I think you have a higher chance of having a dog with hip dysplasia than getting HOD.

Answer 5

would not the subsequent ingredient to do be to ask the vet what the subsequent step is? possibly they did no longer basically announce a prognosis and push you out the door! this is a tip: Yahoo solutions Pets isn't a sturdy place to locate scientific preparation. Few places on the internet are, that's the way you ended up thinking your canines had some thing she did no longer. shop on with your vets opinion, they're people who understand what they're talking approximately. Chalice