Dogs and cats with osteochondrosis or rickets appear healthy on the outside, but with the development of osteochondrosis or rickets, the gastrointestinal function is weakened, manifested as decreased food intake, weight loss, decreased activity, and dry feces , reluctance to climb high, especially afraid of jumping from high places. Teeth are smaller than normal and fall out easily. Palpable rib and costal cartilage junction, there is a twist bead swelling.

Teddy and Samoyed

In juvenile dogs and cats, the lumbar sacrum is depressed and the pelvic cavity becomes narrow. Due to dry feces and difficulty in defecation, constipation often occurs, and the limbs are weak, especially the hind limbs.

Individual dogs and cats had to be euthanized due to limb fractures or lumbar sacral injuries due to jumping from human arms or from the bed.

Adult bitches are prone to postpartum calcium-deficiency twitches after giving birth. Laboratory tests of serum calcium were basically normal or slightly lower at the beginning of the disease, and serum calcium decreased in severe cases. Why do dogs and cats suffer from osteochondrosis or rickets simply by feeding meat or liver?

The reason is that meat and liver contain less calcium and more phosphorus. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in normal dog and cat food is 1.2-1.4:1 for dogs and 0.9-1.1:1 for cats. The ratio of calcium and phosphorus in raw meat is 1:10-32.5, and that in fresh liver is 1:36, which is too different from the normal ratio of calcium and phosphorus required by dogs and cats. Therefore, osteomalacia or rickets are prone to occur.