Irish Setter Club Of America, Inc., MEMO TO MEMBERS

April, 1991

I.S.C.A.

Several years ago I wrote about my experience with a litter of mine with HOD. In response to that article have received many calls from around the country about puppies afflicted with this disease. Thankfully breeder awareness of this disease has resulted in the correct diagnosis in a more timely fashion—and it is rare that I hear of a puppy that dies or needs to be euthanized because of this disease.

We are not the only breed to be afflicted—Labs, Pointers and We-imaraners have a very similar signs at the onset of the disease. Shepherds, Danes, Boxers, and Rottweilers also may get the disease—but with more of the "textbook" signs—acute lameness and fever.

But for the Sporting breeds, the disease has a variety of symptoms at onset which can easily be misdiag-nosed by the most diligent vet. There is no research being done on HOD, and no current articles in any Veterinary Journals—a tough situation for all of us when veterinarians ask how we can be so sure what is wrong with our puppy.

Personally it is a very awkward situation for me. When I get calls from around the country, and when I get calls from vets to whom my puppy buyers go for vaccinations the fact remains I often find myself being accused of not knowing what I am talking about— after all I'm only a breeder— not a vet.

Those of you who have ever called for advice know I NEVER represent myself as such! But the fact remains that we breeders do know the signs, and my experience at AMC with HOD puppies of a variety of breeds leads me to feel that ANYTHING we can share with each other regarding the successful treatment of HOD will eventually lead to some one some where studying this disease and filling in a lot of the unknown about it.

As a quick review of that article, HOD usually occurs in puppies between the ages of 12 weeks and 7 months. They become depressed, reluctant to stand, sometimes refuse to eat and drink, run a temperature as high as 106. A few days before such acute signs are seen, the owner may notice the puppy seems to be "walking on eggshells".

After my sad experience with HOD we stopped feeding puppy food to our litters, gave Vitamin C daily, and made sure to separate vaccinations—DHL & Parvo at least 5-7 days apart. Last year we did have two puppies bred by us have a flare-up at 5 months, right after they left us to go to their new homes. Both were successfully treated with a short course of Prednisone.

What has prompted this article though, is that in the past WEEK, I have learned of SEVEN puppies in my area who have gotten HOD. Two are littermates; the other five are from five different litters.

Unfortunately, one of the puppies is mine. I bought her from people who had bred to Davan. When he died, I called to see if I could reserve the pick bitch, and got Gwendolyn when she was nine weeks old.

She is a heavy boned puppy who has been raised on Kenl Biscuit, 10OOmg Vitamin C a day, and had her vaccinations separately. Very much like her sire in temperament, Gwendolyn is a very laid-back, quiet puppy, friendly and inquisitive, but most content when eating or just lounging around

So I probably missed the initial signs of lethargy, and did not recognize that problem until she was reluctant to stand. Hertemperature was 105. There was no doubt in my mind what I was dealing with.

For treatment I drew on some information that some of you have shared with me (my HOD puppies all died but one). She was injected with

3000 mg Vitamin C IV, and given Prednisone 5 mg. twice a day for three days, once a day for two days, and 2.5mg for 2 days. She quickly recovered. I kept her confined to a large crate with very brief periods in a run to eliminate.

A week later I left for a show and she was doing fine. This was her third day without Pred. By evening our kennel help noticed how quiet she was; she refused dinner—a sure sign of real trouble. My assistant at the AMC took her up there, and everyone was very worried.Her temp, was 105; she was dehydrated and had a low blood glucose level. She was placed on intravenous fluids with dextrose, 5 mg. Pred. twice a day, IV antibiotics, and fed ID. Within 48 hours she was off IV fluids, eating and drinking, and walking well. I took her home and here is the plan during her recovery: 5mg Pred. twice a day for 2 weeks, once a day for the next week, and every other day the 4th week (this is a whopping does of Pred, but I am willing to do whatever her vet suggests!), Amoxicillin and Clindamycin for 14 days, Tagamet three times a day to prevent stomach upset from all the drugs. Ascriptin twice a day and 1000mg Vitamin C twice a day.

Gwendolyn looks great right now— 7 days after her acute onset of HOD. I am going to keep her confined to a crate or pen.

The following are MY theories: HOD usually occurs when dentition is erupting; once full dentition is achieved, the risk of HOD is nonexistent. It is rare to hear of a puppy who has its 1 st incident of HOD after 6 months.

When an SMA (blood sample) is run on a puppy, calcium and alk. phos. are elevated, and WBC count can be elevated as well. Radiographic changes in the joints are not seen until 3-5 days after the initial symptoms are seen. Joint pain is not always evident on day one, but usually present by day 3.

I find it VERY co-incidental that so many puppies with 6 different bloodlines have the problem within a week of each other. My gut feeling is that it might be a virus.

I am still trying to find a vet at a University to whom we can send information, in hopes that we can understand HOD more clearly—is it inherited, is it affected by diet or vaccinations or stress, can it be prevented?

If you have ever had a puppy with HOD it would be great if you would fill out the following questionnaire, either anonymously or with pedigree enclosed. I want to see how much data might be gathered. This may entice someone at the University level to consider studying the disease for us.

HOD SURVEY

1. What were the initial signs of illness?.

At what age?_

2. What month did you see the first sign of HOD?._

Did you alter it?_

3. What diet were you feeding?__________

Please list_

4. Was your puppy on any vitamins or supplement?.

Please list ages of onset_

5. Were other littermates affected?

6. What did your veterinarian treat with?_

List drugs and dosage if possible.

7. How were your puppy's vaccinations given?.

Please describe.

8. Did your puppy suffer any deformity from HOD?.

Originally printed in ISCA Memo to Members, April 1991, reprinted with permission.