23/07/2024
I have been preaching this to my clients…..
Most listen but some think they no more than the experts…….
Impact of exercise on puppy growth plates:
When it comes to puppies, it can be tempting to exercise them to drain that unlimited puppy energy, but it's important to keep in mind the impact exercise can have on puppy growth plates. When can I take my puppy for a run with me?. When can my puppy start competing in agility classes?. When can my puppy follow me on a bike? These are all important questions puppy owners often ask. While there is no doubt about the fact that puppies love to touch and move, even to the point of exhaustion, as with most things in life, too much of a good thing can have an impact, and in this case, the impact can have deleterial effects of the skeletal system in puppy development.
What are puppy growth plates?
The puppies' bones are surrounded by layers of developing soft cartilage tissue that lies towards the end of most long bones. These areas of soft cartilage are known as growth plates or, more technically, epipheral plates.
Scottish surgeon John Hunter studied growth plates in great detail in the late 18th century. His studies of growing chickens revealed that the bones do not develop from the center outward, but the bones grow along as new bones are generated at the end of the long bones, right where the growth plates are located.
John Hunter's studies earned him the nickname "father of the growth plate" and his contributions have surely helped humans and animals alike. As you can imagine, as growth plates are made of soft, developing cartilage, they are vulnerable and can be quite prone. to the injury.
Damage to the puppy's growth plate
When it comes to the skeletal development of puppies, it’s important that puppies’ bones experience uniform growth—basically synchronized growth that occurs evenly and as close to the same speed as possible.
If an injury occurs to a growth plate, the growth of damaged cells can slow down and stop, meaning there can no longer be growth on one side. When the growth of the affected side is delayed and stopped, the healthy and affected side can continue to grow and this irregularity can lead to potential deformity.
Most commonly, the forearm area is affected. When the injured growth plate of the calf stops growing, the radius of the bone will continue to grow potentially leading to a bone that is slightly longer than the other and causing arched legs, explains veterinarian Dr. Gary.
Puppies are particularly prone to injury during vigorous exercise because they lack coordination and don't have much muscle strength. In addition to excessive and strenuous exercise, injuries to a puppy's growth plates can occur due to a fracture, such as it can occur from a fall or being hit by a car. While these fractures can heal, the bone can grow unevenly, which, as we’ve seen, can lead to bone deformity. If, therefore, you suspect an injury to your puppy's growth platelets or notice any abnormality, consult your veterinarian immediately.
Prevention of Injury on Puppy Growth Plate
Puppies need proper exercise as they grow and develop, but moderation is key. Therefore, it is important to be especially careful with high-impact activities, such as repetitive jumping, such as catching a Frisbee, throwing obstacles or jogging, especially on hard surfaces such asphalt or concrete. Turf offers a more tolerant surface and better traction compared to hard concrete or asphalt. Sustained vigorous exercise, leg twisting activities or very rough play should be avoided.
When can my puppy start competing in agility? Many puppy owners may find it surprising when trainers tell them their puppies are too small to start competing in agility. However, puppy owners can start their puppies with some basic pre-agility concepts such as familiarizing themselves with agility obstacles and other basic skills/exercises that are not high impact and therefore will not put pressure on those delicate growth plates. Check with your vet and agility coach to find out when you can start.
When do puppy growth plates close?.
As puppies develop, their growth plates close as calcium and minerals harden soft areas, but when exactly do these puppy growth plates close? Since dogs develop at different rates depending on size and breed, there's not one rule that fits all.
For example, growth irons on a Chihuahua will close much sooner than in larger breeds, such as a Great Dane. Generally, the majority of skeletal growth occurs when puppies are between 3 and 6 months of age. Later, longitudinal growth decreases, and from 10 to 12 months or up to 18 months in large/giant dog breeds, most growth plates have fused and closed. However, some suggest that the process can take up to 20 months.
How can a dog owner know for sure if a dog's growth plates have closed or not? The best option is to talk to your vet before starting puppies on any rigorous exercise regimen or sports training.
For added peace of mind, consider an X-ray to see if the bones have fused or not. In an X-ray, the veterinarian will be able to determine if the growth plate has transformed into a solid, integral part of the bone, leaving its only trace of existence under the form of an epipheral line, as seen in the image on the right.
"Most sports medicine vets recommend not starting training until the growth plate closes, which depends on the size of the breed and can be between 10 months and 18 months of age." ~ Dr. Wendy Baltzer
Effects of hormones
Hormones are known to play a role in a puppy's growth plates and skeletal development. As we’ve seen, growth plates generally close when a dog is between 12 and 20 months old, depending on breed and size. This coincides with the end of puberty, therefore growth plates in intact dogs close after exposure to hormones.
Male and female s*x hormones are known to play a key role in closing bone growth plates. Therefore, if a dog is altered (spayed or neutered) before puberty, there is a delay in the closure process, which causes the affected dogs to develop a longer appearance which makes them more prone to orthopedic problems, such as hip dysplasia. CCL injury and possible bone cancer
Delaying neutering in larger breeds of dogs can help reduce the incidence of these orthopedic conditions.
“The effects of neutering during a dog’s first year of life, especially in larger breeds, undoubtedly reflect the vulnerability of his joints to the delayed closure of long bone growth plates, when neutering eliminates gonadal or s*x hormones.” Benjamin Hart
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When it comes to puppies it's important to consider the impact exercise may have on the pup's developing skeletal system.Read more.
