'Several cases of rickets have come under my notice recently, and there would still appear to be a need for warning and advice as to how any tendency to this condition should be dealt with. Some little time ago that eminent veterinarian, Sir Frederick Hobday, gave an address to the Kennel Association at Burton-on-Trent, which was reported verbatim at the time in Our Dogs. In the course of that address, Professor Hobday made special reference to “rickets”, and this is what he said:-

Good hygeine, plenty of light and fresh air, with a liberal meat, fish, and milk dietary, with a large bone to assist salivation and digestion, will do a great deal to clear away this trouble and will prevent its recurrence. If taken in time, before actual deformity has arisen, the puppy’s legs will grow strong and even straight, and although perhaps it may be stunted in growth, it will not necessarily be a deformits, and the dog will be able to act the part of the ‘pet of the household’ with perfect decorum. As in the case of hysteria, then, rickets is a vitamin-deficiency disease, and can be remedied by a liberal supply of food containing the natural vitamins, including meat, fish (I am very fond of suggesting teamed herrings), friut (especially orange juice), eggs, milk, and such like things. Cod-liver oil, mixed with malt or given alone, is one of the best and most effectual adjuncts; and if too much deformity has not already taken place, the pups will, as I have already said, soon be quite presentable again. Massage of the joints – and, in fact, the whole of the limbs – is an excellent adjunct, and moderate exercise (being careful not to go too far) is necessary; and every opportunity must be taken to ensure that the patient does not get over-tired.

Now, this advice is simple and easy to follow out, I commend it as being the best expert advice available on the subject.'