Prognosis of 7 month old puppy with OCD?? - Page 1

My baby started limping on his left front leg Friday, wasn't too terribly concerned and kept him crated with minimal exercise periods.  I was thinking Pano as he is heavy boned and large for his age (82 lbs).  When he didn't seem to be getting better I called and made an appointment for x-rays.  I took him in last night and just talked to the vet who said he has OCD.  I have been searching and the answers I'm finding are varied.  Could be hereditary, could be caused by injury, etc.  This is by far the most hyper puppy I've ever had, nuts really.  He jumps almost as high as the fence, slams into things, is into every possible thing he can reach and when he can't reach he will climb.  It's been a real challenge keeping him out of trouble and harm but so far we've succeeded and he is a happy, active ball of energy.

My question is, what is the prognosis with a dog this young?  Is there a possibility he will be able to have a normal life or will he be doomed to lameness?  He is with me no matter what, I will never dump a dog because of a physical problem but I don't want to watch him suffer his whole life.  If this is a condition that he will have forever and what can I expect as far as keeping him comfortable and more importantly, happy?

 Very sorry to hear that.

For the prognosis..we have to know what kind of OCD..is it the anconeal process, fragmented coronoid process or just instability in the joint.

Some grade 1 OCD (instability) can go on without causing big problem. It will still cause arthrosis but the lameless is small.

With the anconeal process..only surgery helps ( ulna osteotomy). It will help the anconeal process to fuse but you have to do it before there is to much arthrosis. If no surgery is done..your dog will be lame all his life. (still it depend on the dog!!)

With the fragmented coronoid...you can try surgery but the result are not that good..they removed the cartilage that cause the lameless but usualy it comes back (lack of irrigation at the joint capsule)

All three  are hereditary...rarely the cause of a trauma.  These animals should be spayed and never use for breeding..

Good luck

Hi Sparrow,  please talk to an ortho specialist in your area or contact an accredited Veterinary School that has ortho specialists.  We are lucky to have one close and boy can they do wonders.

Thank you for the responses.  I have not picked him up yet, I talked to the vet on the phone and he told me we will discuss it when I get there so I don't yet know what type.  I'm at work and shouldn't leave, my husband will be going to get him and I'll have the info relayed.  Uh...maybe I'll just have to go anyway, this sounds improtant enough to lose an hour at work.

Malshep, have you had experience with this?

 I can talk about my experience.

Once had a bitch and she was 2 years old..never notice any limping. We sent the X-Ray to OFA come back with HIP Good and elbows with grade 1 OCD (only one side). she is now 9..never lame spayed and happy!!

In another litter. 2 big males (males are affected more with elbows dysplasia than females) with OCD (anconeal process). We did surgery on them when they we're 6 months. They are doing fine, no limping and functionning very well.

Thank you, I just want him to comfortable and happy.  As long as he is not in pain I will be a happy camper.  I did have plans for him which are now down the toilet but his comfort and quality of life are what matter most.  Thanks again!

I will let you know when I talk to the vet and what he has to say.

Ah, bummer. Let me know what he vet says.

OCD can occur on the articular surface of any joint--not just the elbow. I had a male (Covy's Pan of Tucker Hill) who had OCD of one shoulder. He had a joint mouse removed and the surface planed. The surgery did not totally relieve the limp. His OCD was believed to have been caused by trauma during a rapid growth period and appears not to have been heriditary. He never produced OCD nor did any of his offspring.

 You are right, It can happen to any joint. 

GSD are not prone to shoulder OCD tought. It is not a common problems amongs GSD..much more with labrador and Golden.

So maybe it was cause by a trauma. But we never relly know.

Until they find the gene that cause it.so  we can test all the dogs..we will not be sure.

Over the years I have had two males with OCD 1 in the shoulder he was pts at the age of nine when he went off his back legs with DM, the other is in the elbows grade 3 (2:3) he was diagnosed when scored at 13mth under the BVA scheme, since then he has been on Cosequin DS as recommended by the vet and does not show any clinical signs, he is now 3yrs.

ps I buy the Cosequin from a veterinary pharmacist.