Well since I started this thread I guess I'll jump back in
now first off I just wanted to say that I did not post the article to be confrontational, just as I've been doing a lot of dietary research lately I thought I'd share my findings, whatever they might be. I don't feel I know enough yet nor have any experience to really "take sides." So-- please no one take offense!
Second I just wanted to say please please I think everyone should read this article, I posted it under "dietary article" but I guess I should have made it more interesting. It's called
Relationship of Nutrition to Developmental Skeletal Disease in Young Dogs.
Here's the link again:
http://www.ilovemypet.com/jackart.html
It's a veterinary science study article. Basically it's about the link between what you feed your dog and hip dysplasia.
I'll summarize because it's VERY scientific and a little hard to understand. Please note that the below is a SUMMARY of the veterinary article, not my own stuff! and I'm not trying to lecture, just putting out the info! Again I have no personal experience, just sharing the knowledge.
"Relationship of Nutrition to Developmental Skeletal Disease in Young Dogs" by Daniel C. Richardson & Phillip W. Toll
1.
Calories. Limit the number of calories your dog eats and make sure he stays lean. (We all know this.) BUT here's the important part: because
fat has TWICE the calories than either carbs or protein, it's REALLY important to make sure that the
fat percentage is low in the foods you're feeding.
The PROTEIN level is not as important as the FAT level when feeding your giant-breed puppy.
2.
Protein (this is CONTROVERSIAL). "Unlike other species,
protein excess has not been demonstrated to negatively affect calcium metabolism or skeletal development in dogs.
Protein deficiency, however, has more impact on the developing skeleton." (emphasis added) He goes on to list a study using Great Dane puppies;
feeding 14.6% protein led to negative developmental consequences.
The article goes on to say that growing puppies need
at least 22% protein (EVEN giant-breed puppies).
3.
Calcium. The article has a very technical section on the right amount of calcium. It includes statistics, test results, etc. But I'm going to try and keep it simple so:
"Young, giant-breed dogs fed a food containing
excess calcium (3.3% dry matter basis)... had
significantly increased incidence of developmental bone disease...
chronic high calcium intake increased the frequency and severity of osteochondrosis." (emphasis added)
The article says DO NOT switch a puppy to a maintenance food to try to prevent excess calcium intake because since puppies need more calories than adults, they'll end up eating more of the adult dog food and then end up with even MORE calcium!
Also: "'...the feeding of calcium supplements not only is
unnecessary, but, in fact,
contraindicated!'"
4.
Vitamin C. "Even though Vitamin C has been recommended, the relationship between Vitamin C and developmental skeletal disorders in dogs such as osteochondrosis and hip dysplasia is unproven." The article does list specific test findings that led them to that conclusion.
5.
Vitamin D. Vitamin D regulates skeletal development. "Commercial pet foods contain from two to 10 times the AAFCO recommended amounts of Vitamin D... supplementation with Vitamin D can markedly disturb normal skeletal development." NO EXTRA VITAMIN D BESIDES WHAT IS ALREADY IN YOUR DOG FOOD!
6.
Canine hip dysplasia. Technical section here. Basically, even the first 2 weeks of feeding is important in relation to CHD, with 3-8 mos. being very important and the first 6 mos. critical. And: "
Limiting food intake in growing Labrador Retriever puppies has been associated with
less subluxation of the femoral head and
fewer signs of hip dysplasia." (emphasis added)
7.
Osteochondrosis (OCD). "In dogs, risk factors for OCD are
age, gender, breed, rapid growth and nutrient excesses (primarily calcium). All large and giant-breed dogs are at increased risk for OCD. Great Dane, Labrador Retriever,
Newfoundland, and Rottweiler breeds are at highest risk.
Males have an increased risk of OCD in the proximal humerus but gender relationships are not found with OCD involving other joints."
The article says
overnutrition can be an important cause of OCD. Do NOT over-supplement!
8.
Conclusion.
"Nutritionally, rate of growth, food consumption, specific nutrients, and feeding methods influence our ability to optimize skeletal development and minimize skeletal disease. Maximizing the growth rate in young, growing puppies does not correlate to maximal adult size. It does, however, increase the risk of skeletal disease. The growth phase of 3 to 8 months, and possibly the phases before weaning, are vital to ultimate skeletal integrity. The large and giant breeds may be limited in their ability to cope with excesses of minerals such as calcium.
Overnutrition from overconsumption and oversupplementation increases the frequency of developmental bone disease in large and giant-breed dogs. Energy and calcium are the nutrients of greatest concern.
Often, owners feeding highly palatable, energy-dense growth foods switch to maintenance type foods in an attempt to reduce developmental disorders. As shown earlier, this practice may worsen total calcium intake. It is not only important to feed the appropriate food, but to feed the food appropriately.
Table 1 lists the minimum requirement of some nutrients of concern for growing puppies. These values represent the minimum and in some cases the maximum AAFCO recommendations for these nutrients.
Foods for large and giant-breed puppies should meet these recommendations. Because energy [read: calories] (primarily from fat) and calcium are nutrients known to be risk factors for developmental skeletal disease, the
level of these nutrients [calories & calcium] should be near the minimum requirement. Meeting but not exceeding the requirement for these nutrients ensures proper growth while minimizing risk factors for skeletal disease.
Nutritional management alone will not completely control developmental bone diseases. Skeletal diseases can be influenced during growth by feeding technique and nutrient profile. Dietary deficiencies are minimal concern in this age of commercial foods specifically prepared for young, growing dogs.
The potential for harm is in overnutrition from excess consumption and oversupplementation." (emphasis added)
Wow, that was long. Again, this isn't my stuff, this is a summary of a highly-referenced scientific article by two veterinarians (listed above), so please do not get mad at me!
Just trying to get ready for my new puppy. Also I would love anything you guys with personal experience would have to add because, like they say, "the more you know!"
Hope this was helpful.
Caroline
[This message has been edited by caroanne (edited 05-28-2002).]
[This message has been edited by caroanne (edited 05-28-2002).]
