Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)
Osteochondrosis refers is an abnormal development of the cartilage on the end of a bone in the joint Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD or OD) is an inflammatory condition. OCD can be in elbow, hip or knee but mostly it is seen in the shoulders. Mostly large breed puppies which grow rapidly are mostly affected and it is seen between 6 and 9 month.
What cause it?
The disease is very rarely hereditary, mostly trauma and non-proper feeding cause it. Usually the intake of high protein and energy in food and too much calcium. Studies shown that limiting intake of energy and calcium is reducing the cause of developmental health problems, not only OCD but HD, ED and others also. In heredity always chceck the mother and fathers health, but often there is only few dog tested for this disease. To much energy intake cause obesity, which not only make to much weight on a growing joint but the puppy will start to grow very fast.
When can we think there is problem with our dog shoulder?
Very easy to notice if our dog has shoulder problems, if we buy a large breed dog like Landseer we need to keep in mind during its first year that it is growing very fast. We need to be aware of every sign and make a quick step if we think something is not ok. As early we catch a problem as easier to solve the problem. So need to watch this signs:– Limping in one or both leg.
– Not using the leg when laying down or standing up.
– Swelling at the shoulders or other joints.
– Pain in the shoulder when people touch it.
– Cracking of the bones.
Veterinarian will make diagnose, usually always with X-ray.
– Not using the leg when laying down or standing up.
– Swelling at the shoulders or other joints.
– Pain in the shoulder when people touch it.
– Cracking of the bones.
Veterinarian will make diagnose, usually always with X-ray.
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How to Treat it
There is 2 way to treat it, first is when it is not very serious problem, the dog just need to relax and lay all day in the bed from 4 to 10 weeks. With a restricted walk of some step and to pee and poo. In 60% the cartilage is healing itself. The other way in very serious cases is the surgery. When the restrict 10 week relax time do not working only one way to live a pain free life is surgery. The veterinarian will remove the affected joint and repair the problem there. It is 100% success always
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How to prevent it?
Prevention is very easy if we know what is prohibited to do with our fast growing puppies. It is good to know that very few dog get it from heredity, so the proper movement, care and feeding is the key for a healthy dog. Avoid stairs, jumping off a deck or car, jumping down from bed. Use always joint supplement and high quality meat content food. Do not let your puppy get overweight and don’t let your puppy grow fast.
Text is written by Melita Miklušáková, Kennel Bellissima GlemBell – some source is from internet!
Dogs with OCD in kennel Bellissima GlemBell and their offsrping:
Healthy dogs
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Affected dogs
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