TGF-β and homeopathic medicines in the management of angular deformities in growing dogs

Ten dogs with mild angulation of the forelimb were treated with medicinal treatment. Five animals (group I) received TGF-βintramuscularly @ 10 mg total dose, two injections were administered at weekly interval for the first two weeks followed by one injection weekly for 4 weeks. Other 5 animals (group II) were given homeopathic drug Calcarea phosphorica (6x) and Symphytum officinalis (30x) orally @ 4 tabs each four times a day for one month. The treatments were compared with different clinical, haematobiochemical and radiographic parameters. The clinical parameters like HR, RR and RT fluctuated within the normal physiological limits without any significant changes within and between the groups. The mean PCV and TP values were slightly lesser when compared to normal physiological values, and the mean ALP activity was in a higher range. A gradual and non-significant decline from the day zero in metaphyseal broadening was observed in both groups at different intervals. Pain and lameness were reduced from the base value at different intervals in both groups. A non-significant increase in clinically measured degree of limb deviation was observed in group I while a non-significant decrease was noticed in group II at different observation periods from their respective day zero values. Radiographically measured degree of bone deviation showed a non-significant increase in group I and a non-significant decrease in group II at different observation periods from their respective baseline values. The mean cortical index in TGF-β treated group increased non-significantly till day 15 but in homeopathy treated dogs, the increase was seen throughout the observation periods. It was concluded that TGF-β and Calcarea phosphorica and Symphytum officinalis combination have shown positive response in the early stage of bone deformities in growing dogs, however, Calcarea phosphorica and Symphytum officinalis combination showed better response.