Evaluation of certain antiresorptive drugs in growing dogs affected with osteopenic bone diseases (rickets, NSH)

Abstract

Growing dogs (92) affected with osteopenic bone diseases like nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism and rickets, were subjected to treatment with different antiresorptive drugs. In all the animals, calcium (250 mg/kg)-vitamin D3 (3 lakh iu/wk) and zinc (5 mg/wk) were administered. In group 1 animals, no other treatment was given. In groups 2-5. in addition to Ca-vit.D-Zn therapy, Nandrolone deconoate (12.5 mg/wk im), Raloxifene (15 mg/kg PO), Alendronate (5 mg/day PO) and TGF ~ (20 ng/wk im), respectively, were administered. The owners were advised to continue the treatment till satisfactory improvement was seen for at least 1 lTIonth duration. All the animals, which came for follow up examination and treatment, were observed for different clinical and biochemical observations at weekly intervals and radiographic observations at every 15th day. In group 1, in general the response was seen after 2nd/3rd week of initiation of therapy. In majority of cases, good response was seen after 6-8 weeks of treatment. Animals of groups 3 and 4 showed relatively early signs of improvement as compared to group 1. In animals treated with anabolic steroid (group 2) and TGF ~ (group 5), the clinical response was quicker than all other groups. Our results indicated that treatment with different antiresorptive drugs had positive response in growing dogs affected with osteopenic bone diseases. Nevertheless, anabolic steroid, probably was the most effective drug, and Raloxifene was the least effective in growing animals with osteopenia.