MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Rickets is a common disease affecting puppies and, to a lesser degree, kittens.
It is considered as a bone disease but actually the nutrition of the whole body is affected. It usually happens if their diet is incorrect as in the case of pets that are fed on scraps. Rickets can easily be prevented with the correct diet.
When puppies and kittens are born, their bones are soft and as they grow, the bones should become hardened by lime salts which they get from their food.
If they are not eating correctly or have worms that affect how they digest food, their bones do not harden.
It is usually not noticeable until the pup or kitten is about four to eight weeks old when you see it is struggling to support its body on its legs.
The animals avoid moving and often have swollen bellies. Their hair is dull and skin, dry and scaly.
Their legs are crooked and the joints enlarged. The spine may be curved and the ribs so soft that the chest may be flattened, similar to the human chest.
In severe cases they show signs of pain when moving about or when being touched. As the disease progresses, they experience attacks of indigestion. Poisoning of their entire body develops. Finally they have severe convulsions. At this stage not much can be done to save the animal.
Rickets can be avoided if puppies and kittens are fed good, nutritious food from the time they are weaned.
Young puppies must receive a generous amount of meat as early as possible and starchy foods and cow's milk must be totally eliminated.
If worms are present they should be treated. If a female dog or cat is carrying a litter, she should be given plenty of healthy food. Treatment for the prevention of worms must be given.
Lime in the form of inexpensive bone meal may be given. Plenty of exercise and fresh air must be allowed while a female dog or cat is pregnant and also for the puppies or kittens when born.
Their food should not only contain plenty of protein but should also have a considerable quantity of good oils and fats. Beef fat, eggs, or cod-liver oil will supply this, but they must be used carefully to prevent upset stomachs.
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