This week’s segment features Medusa the 4 ½ month old English mastiff!! Medusa came to us when her owner noticed a decrease in her activity levels, hesitation coming out of her kennel and overall lethargy and discomfort. After a few days of conservative treatment and no improvement, we decided to take radiographs (x-rays) to see if we could narrow down the source of her discomfort. Growing puppies can sometimes develop orthopedic diseases that affect their developing bones and joints. These conditions—such as panosteitis, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), elbow dysplasia, and hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD)—are most common in rapidly growing, large-breed dogs. In Medusa’s case, we were able to identify changes in her growth plates and diagnosed her with hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD).
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy is an inflammatory condition that affects the long bones of growing puppies, typically between 2 and 8 months of age and is most common in large and giant breed dogs. HOD occurs near the growth plates where inflammation leads to pain, swelling, fever, and lameness, often in multiple limbs. Some puppies may be lethargic, reluctant to move, or have a decreased appetite during flare-ups. The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but factors may include rapid growth, genetics, nutritional imbalances, or immune-mediated responses. Diagnosis is made through a combination of clinical signs, physical examination, and radiographs, which show characteristic changes such as a visible line of separation in the bone near the growth plate. Treatment focuses on managing inflammation and pain—often with anti-inflammatories, supportive care, and rest. Most puppies improve over days to weeks, though some severe cases may have lingering deformities if bone growth is significantly affected. In Medusa’s case after several weeks of rest, pain management and laser therapy, she is back to her happy active self!!