Two Dogs with Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Abstract

Two young dogs (a 4-month-old male French Bulldog, and a 4-month-old male Akita) presented with severe systemic pain involving bone resorption and multiple fractures. Other diseases characterized by bone fragility were excluded by clinical examinations, and so the dogs were provisionally diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta. In both dogs, the systemic pain resolved within 1 week after the start of diagnostic treatment with oral bisphosphonate (0.5–1.0 mg/kg), and bone unions were achieved in the multiple fractures. The two dogs have been in good physical condition without further fractures for 27 and 22 months, respectively. The definitive diagnosis of canine osteogenesis imperfecta is currently difficult because it requires genetic diagnosis. Diagnostic treatment with oral bisphosphonate is effective in alleviating potentially fatal symptoms in dogs with suspected osteogenesis imperfecta.