Hypertrophic osteopathy is a bone disease secondary to disease
in the lungs, usually cancer. This condition occurs mainly in
dogs and is
rare in cats.
Hypertrophic osteopathy is characterized by new bone formation on the
outside of the toe bones, which then extends proximally. Symptoms
include stiffness and warm, firm swelling of the legs, and signs of lung
disease such as coughing and difficulty breathing.
Hypertrophic osteopathy is caused by increased blood flow to the ends of the
legs, overgrowth of
connective tissue, and then new bone formation surrounding the bones. This
is secondary to nerve stimulation by the lung disease. The condition may reverse
if the lung mass is removed or if the
vagus
nerve is cut on the affected side.
References
Ettinger, Stephen J.;Feldman, Edward C.(1995).Textbook of Veterinary
Internal Medicine(4th ed.). W.B. Saunders Company.
ISBN 0-7216-6795-3
Thrall, Donald E. (1994). Textbook of Veterinary Diagnostic Radiology
(2nd ed.). W.B. Saunders Company.
ISBN 0-7216-3143-6