January 1997
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2 Reads
Thirty-nine Great Dane puppies from 5 litters were studied from 2 through 12 months of age Puppies were divided into three groups and fed diets identical in protein and fat (27% and 14% respectively), but differing in calcium and phosphorus. The diets consisted of 0.48% Ca: 0.4% P (Low) (n=12), 0.8% Ca: 0.67% P (Med) (n=12), or 2.7% Ca: 2.2% P (High) (n=15) Nursing pups were supplemented with specific diets as they began to wean at 5-6 weeks A Lunar, model DPX-L densitometer (DEXA) was used to evaluate dogs monthly until 8 months and bimonthly thereafter Lean body mass, fat tissue and body weight of puppies were nearly identical at 8 weeks, but dietary mineral differences were already reflected in bone mineral density (BMD), 0.4421 g/cm2 ± .0074, 0.4555 g/cm2 ± 0.0174 and 04819 g/cm2 ± 0.0276 for Low, Med and High groups respectively. Differences continued through 6 months, after which they diminished. BMD at 12 months was 0 9756 g/cm2 ± 0.0766, 1.046 g/cm2 ± 0.0648 and 1.0528 g/cm2 ± 0.0725 respectively. Mineral intake as early as 5 weeks of age is rapidly reflected in the BMD of developing puppies.