Hypertrophic osteopathy (Marie’S Disease) in a German shepherd dog: A case report

Abstract

A German shepherd female dog, ten-year-old, was presented to the Department ofVeterinary Surgery and Radiology, Veterinary College, Hebbal, Bangalore with the complaintof anorexia, lethargy, loss of body condition, limb weakness, difficulty in walking, and swellingin all limbs. Upon physical examination, there was no pain, non-oedematous swelling, and alllimbs were warm to touch. Radiography of both forelimbs revealed the presence of periostealproliferation in distal phalanges, metacarpal, metatarsal, radius, ulna, tibia and fibula bones.Radiography of lateral thorax revealed the presence of multiple radiodense lesions suggestiveof pulmonary metastasis. These led to the diagnosis of hypertrophic osteopathy as a result of metastatic lung tumor. It might be due to chronic anoxia, obscure toxins and autonomicneural vascular reflex mechanisms mediated by afferent branches of the vagus or intercostalnerves. Removal of inciting cause may or may not bring about regression of signs. Animal wasmanaged with steroids for some days. Animal collapsed after two months of diagnosis.