General Veterinary Hospital 11403 - 143 Street Edmonton, Alberta Canada Tel: (403) 454.8691

Dr. Brent Jackson
Graduated: U of S. Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Saskatoon, Saskachewan
Degree: DVM
Practice Type: companion animal and exotics
Special Interests: dentistry, cardiology and surgery
Pets: 2 Gerbils, (Timone and Simba), Hedgehog (Thistle) and a cornsnake (name pending)
Family: Spouse-Dr. Alison Jackson (Alison is also a veterinarian)
Children: Christopher (age 7) and Leah (age3)

I have been partner/owner in the General Veterinary Hospital since 1990. We are approximately 13,000 sq.ft. full service facility. The hospital was opened in 1964 as one of four original veterinary hospitals in Edmonton. It is one of the largest free standing Veterinary Hospitals in Western Canada. The General as it is often referred to boasts 120 indoor kennels, two surgical suites, 3 treatment rooms, and 4 exam rooms. We are a full service companion animal veterinary hospital offering ; office appointments, boarding , medicine and surgery (general surgery, orthopedics), radiology, ultrasound, dentistry (endodontics, periodontics and orthodontics). The hospital veterinarians as well as 17 full and part- time support staff.

Brent Jackson.
E-mail the Doctor

Article of the Month

"Relationship of Nutrition to Developmental Skeletal Disease in Young Dogs" for Veterinary Clinical Nutrition, Volume 4, Number 1, 1997, Published by Veterinary Practice Publishing Company, P.O. Box 4457, Santa Barbara, CA 93140, Phone - 805-965-1028, Fax - 805-965-0722.

Daniel C. Richardson¹

Phillip W. Toll¹

Developmental skeletal disease is common in large and giant-breed puppies. One manifestation, hip dysplasia, affects millions of dogs. Genetics, environment, and nutrition all contribute to developmental skeletal disease. Of the nutritional components, rate of growth, specific nutrients, food amounts consumed, and feeding methods influence skeletal disease. Excess energy and calcium and known risk factors; therefore, the level of these nutrients in the food should be near the Association of American Feed Control Officials minimum requirement. Puppies should be fed a growth-type food using a food-limiting technique. All puppies should be weighed and evaluated at least every two weeks. Amounts fed should be increased or decreased based on weight and body condition score.

Key Words: Developmental skeletal disease, calcium, energy, hip dysplasia, electrolyte balance, osteochondrosis, body condition, feeding method.

Introduction

The musculoskeletal system changes constantly throughout life. These changes are most rapid during the first few months of life and slow with skeletal maturity (about 12 months for most breeds). The skeletal system is most susceptible to physical and metabolic insult during the first 12 months of life because of the heightened metabolic activity. The physical manifestation of these results can be lameness and/or altered growth. Both can affect locomotion and/or soundness of adult dogs.

Developmental skeletal disease is a multifactorial process that has genetic, environmental, and nutritional components. These skeletal abnormalities primarily affect fast growing, large-breed dogs. Lack of careful genetic monitoring can introduce and propagate disorders (e.g., hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis) that a re difficult to eliminate. Trauma, whether obvious (e.g., hit by a car) or subtle (e.g., excessive weight) can adversely affect relatively weak growth centers and cause skeletal disease (e.g., angular limb deformities). Nutrient excesses (e.g., excess calcium supplementation) often exacerbate musculoskeletal disorders.1-4 This article reviews the role of nutrition in developmental skeletal disease in young dogs.
to continue reading click here....