The main manifestations are: the ossification process in the dog's growth is blocked, the long bones are bent due to weight bearing, the cartilage is hypertrophic, and the round and enlarged bead-like swelling appears at the junction of the ribs and costal cartilage.

Causes of rickets in dogs:

1. Vitamin D deficiency or deficiency is the main cause of rickets. 2. Calcium and phosphorus deficiency or severe improper proportions, and parathyroid dysfunction are also important causes of rickets. 3. In cases of uremia or genetic defects, the demand for vitamin D increases and rickets is prone to occur. 4. Excessive intestinal parasites can hinder the absorption of calcium, vitamins, proteins, etc., which can induce rickets.

Clinical symptoms of canine rickets:

Diagnosis can be made based on the age of the dog, slow onset, bone deformation, reduced bone density on X-ray examination, etc. It would be more helpful to measure the calcium and phosphorus content in the serum. diagnosis. Rickets can be diagnosed when the blood calcium concentration is below 9.8% and the blood phosphorus is below 2.5%. 1. Early symptoms include eating strange habits, such as eating wall soil, sand, dirt, etc., and sometimes licking the abdomen of other animals or itself. Late tooth replacement. 2. Due to joint pain, the gait is stiff, lame, and difficult to stand up, especially the movement of the hind limbs is hindered. Dogs often assume knee-bent postures, O-shaped postures, and X-shaped postures. Bone deformations can be seen, including knees, wrists, and ankles. The bone ends of the joints are swollen and appear as double joints. 3. The junction of the ribs and costal cartilage is swollen, showing the bead shape of rickets, the sternum sinks, the spine is curved (concave curve, convex curve), the pelvis is narrow, and due to the deformation of the trunk bones and limb bones, it becomes a dwarf-like skeleton. 4. The maxillary bone swells, the mouth becomes narrow, nasal congestion and dyspnea occur, and chewing is hindered due to pain in the jawbone. Digestive disorders caused by sleepiness, heterophilia, etc., make the sick dog inactive, then become emaciated, and finally cachexia occurs.

Prevention and treatment measures for canine rickets:

1. Strengthen feeding and management, pay attention to kennel hygiene, and provide sufficient light. 2. Let the sick dog exercise properly, get more sun exposure, and adjust the diet to ensure sufficient vitamin D and minerals. 3. Supplement vitamin D preparations such as cod liver oil 5-10 mg/day, once a day. Stop taking the medicine when diarrhea occurs. Avoid overdosing of vitamin D. Excessive vitamin D can cause calcium malabsorption, weight loss, digestive disorders, atrophy of various organs, circulatory disorders, etc. 4. Calcium supplements should be added to the feed for puppies, 1.5-2 grams, once a day, for 1-2 months.