OCD in 8 month male

[Jenny S]

I have a wonderful 8 month old male named Baron. He has a unbeatable disposition but, his lameness problems are breaking my heart. Our vet has diagnosed him with OCD of the hock and possibly the shoulder. Surgery is scheduled in Feb. I am however reluctant to go through with the surgery. I'm more than happy to pay the cost I'm just reluctant to put him through the pain if its maybe not nessesary. I have spoke to a few people who say to wait, it may be something he'll grow out of. I'm very confused as to what to do. I want to do the best for my dog. Please help!!
Any info will be greatly appreciated!

[CarolineS]

Your dog will not grow out of OCD. As I'm sure your vet must have explained, OCD is a disorder of the cartilage where bony lesions form on the joints. These lesions interfere with the proper function of the joint, thus causing the lameness and pain. Vets are still not 100% sure what exactly causes it, but large breeds seem to be predisposed to it. A diet too high in calories, protein and calcium seems to play a part in causing it in those dogs with a predisposition, as well as trauma to the joints due to too much of the wrong kind of exercise when young. I think it would be pretty hard for your vet to misdiagnose this, so if that's what your dog has, I'd certainly get the surgery. Depending on the severity, some dogs will recover totally and others will at least have some relief. Regular x-rays and arthroscopy are used to diagnose this. Arthroscopic surgery is commonly used to treat it. After surgery, it can be managed with dietary and exercise control (and perhaps some medication) to keep your dog comfortable. Again, there is no chance your dog will outgrow OCD.

I do know what those people who told you the dog would outgrow it are talking about, but my brain has gone numb and I can't remember the name. It is a condition where a puppy suddenly goes lame, no cause can be found for it, and then it spontaneously clears up and usually disappears all together when the dog is older. I'm sure someone else on this board will know what I'm talking about.

[Sharon]

Hi Jenny,

I believe CarolineS is refering to "pano" I don't have much info on this problem, but I do now they out grow it. That may be what your vet was talking about. I'm sure you'll receive more detailed info soon

Sharon

[andrea]

just wanted to post a url that has some great info on it...thought ocd was mentioned but i cant find it ..there is an article on pano though
Please excuse the pic of the gsd <snicker>
sentex.net/~sirius/articles.htm

[This message has been edited by Admin (edited February 01, 1999).]

[CarolineS]

Jenny,

Upon rereading my answer to you, I see where I could have caused you some confusion. When I said nothing would appear on the x-rays if it were pano, I should have stated, more exactly, nothing would appear on the x-rays of the joints. Pano affects the long bones of the legs, and I don't believe it affects the shoulder.

[Alison]

pano can be cured but there is another one that smallfragments of bone end up hampering the elbows i forgot what it was called but that one is not curable with out sergery being done to the dog

[Nancy Estes]

Alison - *joint mouse*!! Odd description, but that's what they call the fragment that can be surgically removed.

Nancy

------------------
von Dorow Rottweilers
doggo@hotbot.com

[Michele Baxter]

I have to add to this post by saying that my first rottie,has this condition also. My vet diagnosed this over 2 yrs. ago. We went to see a specialist who told me he could not guarantee that with surgery he would be any better off than treating him with a combination of drugs. I know everyone may not agree with this choice, but after careful thought and talking with many people who have made different choices, I decided to treat with drugs. He has been pain free, and the joint is no longer swollen. Let me stress that this is not the choice I would suggest for everyone, BUT one that I made, and that is working out fine. He is an older dog, and his quality of life is just like my young dogs. He plays, is active (although I don't let him get too rough) and leads a wonderful life. We are on a combination of chondroitin sulfate, adquan infections, and occas. Rimadyl. I know there are lots of bad things out there about Rimadyl. But my vet ran a liver panel, and monitors him frequently. Other folks I've talked with do well with Cosequin, and Glycoflex along with other drugs. Just another opinion. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Jenny S]

My name is Kim. I am the owner of the computer that Jenny used.

I have kept Jenny up to date on all of the posts that you wonderful people have written. She was really lucky that she found this site!

Just to let you all know, she has decided to put off the surgery. She took Baron back to her vet with all of her concerns (and printed infor that I found from your URL links). They inturn re-xrayed him. Looks like it was not OCD after all (Still not 100%). They have to do one more x-ray while he is put under on Wednesday 2/17 (getting fixed). They were unable to lift his leg without him growling and showing teeth. I will keep you posted on how it turns out.

Just a quick note from me (Kim): I am glad that Jenny found this site. I knew nothing about rotties, and would say that I was one of those people that had the bad attitude about them. I have learned alot from you guys. Thanks for giving me the insight!

[MAXIMILLIAN]

MAKING THOSE DECISIONS ARE NEVER EASY. MAY I SUGGEST THAT YOU GET A SECOND OPINION FROM ANOTHER SPECIALIST. MY MAX WENT IN FOR THE "JOINT MOUSE" AND AFTER 5 MONTHS THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. FINALLY, WE WERE ABLE TO CORRECT HIS LIMP WHEN WE DISCOVERED THAT HE HAD PROBLEMS WITH GROWTH PLATES IN HIS "WRIST" NOT HIS ELBOW. MAX WAS A SPECIAL CASE, TWO OPERATIONS LATER, WE HAVE OUR BOY BACK THANKS TO DR. ELLIOT CRAIG IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. IT TOOK MAX ABOUT 8 MONTHS TO RECOOPERATE FROM ALL OF THE PROCEDURES, WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS RARE. MOST PUPS HEAL IN 10 WEEKS OR LESS. MY POINT IS, EXPECT THE BEST AND BE PREPARED FOR THE LONG HAWL!! THERE WERE DAYS WHEN I WONDERED IF I'D MAKE IT. HE REQUIRED CONSTANT CARE. NOW, WATCHING HIM RUN ACROSS THE YARD AT TOP SPEED WITH THAT TONGUE HANGING OUT OF HIS MOUTH, LET'S ME KNOW THAT I MADE THE RIGHT DECISION!! GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!