Clinical case report on nutritional dystrophy in goats at S. A. Quadary Veterinary Teaching Hospital, CVASU, Chittagong

Abstract

Background: Nutritional fibrous osteodystrophy may be developed due to dietary deficiency of calcium or dietary excess of phosphorus. Fibrous osteodystrophy (FOD) provokes hyperostotic distortion of cancellous bones, conjunctive tissue proliferation, and poor mineralization of bone. The objectives of this study were to report the clinical characteristics and therapeutic management of FOD in goats.

Materials and methods: Four out of 8 Jamnapari goats developed fibrous osteodystrophy in a small scale intensive household farm in Chittagong. The age range of the affected goats was 4-5 months. The feeding history of goats was primarily wheat bran, gram and pea husk. Blood sample from all affected and non-affected animals and feed sample from household farm were collected for laboratory analysis. Fibrous Osteo-dystrophy was primarily diagnosed by observing clinical signs of mandibular and maxillary enlargement, pain on pressure at the enlarged bone, protruded tongue and dyspnea which was then confirmed by high level of phosphorus in serum evaluation.

Results: The calcium and phosphorus contents in the sampled gram, pea husk and bran were 0.5%, 0.3% and 0.5%, and 0.71%, 0.49% and 0.61%, respectively. Most of the affected animals had increased serum levels of phosphorus, glucose and alkaline phosphatase and decreased level of calcium. Based on the clinical findings and the laboratory report, the cases were diagnosed as fibrous osteodystrophy due to nutritional imbalance in diet. The owner was advised strictly to stop providing any bran to animals (affected and healthy). Affected animals were additionally treated with calcium preparation vitamin ADE, ketoprofen, protein, and penicillin-streptomycin combination.

Conclusion: Treatment of fibrous osteodystrophy required a long time recovery along with balanced ration. A combined therapy of calcium and vitamin D and protein preparation is effective for treatment along with adequate green grass and balanced rations.