Osteocondrosis Dissecans – OCD

Osteochondrosis is a condition of abnormal cartilage development that results in early osteoarthritis in canine joints.

OCD actually refers to the loose piece or flap of cartilage that forms in the joint. Osteochondrosis usually occurs early in a dog’s life and can affect shoulders, stifles, hocks, and elbows. Generally this condition affects mostly larger dogs, and breeds such as Great Danes, Newfoundlands, English Sheepdogs, Labradors, and Irish Setters are predisposed to the condition.

Osteochondrosis begins with a failure of bone formation from the cartilage precursor of the humeral head. This failure leads to abnormal cartilage thickening and the increased cartilage thickness may result in underdeveloped cells within the cartilage. The result is the creation of a cleft where the bone meets the cartilage. Subsequently, normal activity may cause fissures in the cartilage that eventually communicate with the joint, forming a cartilage flap. This creates joint inflammation and contributes to early onset of degenerative joint disease.

Symptoms:

Primarily affects large or giant breeds, males more often than females and occasionally small breed dogs and cats, or young and fast growing animals which causes bone growth abnormality resulting in pieces of the cartilage becoming loose around the joints.

Symptoms include:

- Lameness in the affected limb

- Shortened forelimb stride

- Reluctance to flex or extend the joint

The radiograph on the left indicates an OCD lesion in the shoulder. The radiograph in the right is a healthy shoulder.

Procedure:

The surgical procedure for correction of OCD involves the removal of cartilage flaps or free cartilage defects. Following this procedure, the continued use of a joint supplement is crucial to recovery and long-term joint health.

After Care:

Hospitalization:

- Your pet will need to stay overnight one night. You can schedule pick up when you drop your pet off for surgery during our regular business hours.

- When you get your pet home, place your pet in a cool/warm (season dependent), quiet and dark room. If you leave your pet alone, he/she will sleep and be comfortable. You can increase your pet’s anxiety by doting. Your pet will have adequate medication for pain so you need not worry about discomfort.

Medication:

- A transdermal pain patch will be sutured on to your pet and will provide pain relief for three days following surgery. On the fourth day after surgery, you may remove the patch by clipping the sutures with a nail clipper and peeling it off like a band-aid. Please dispose of the patch by flushing down the toilet.

- The transdermal pain patch used for pain relief can cause constipation. Dr. Dew will ask that you feed your pet a certain amount of tuna in oil (Starkist®, Chicken of the Sea®, etc.) for four days following surgery to prevent constipation. The tuna in oil is to be given in addition to your pet’s regular feedings.

- If your pet is not already on a joint supplement, Dr. Dew will send home a sample of Glycoflex®. Glycoflex® will supplement the cartilage and improve your pet’s joint health. Your pet may stay on Glycoflex® for the remainder of his/her life. The charge for a full bottle or bag of GlycoFlex® is NOT included in the surgery fee; this will be an additional charge to you.

- Your pet will also be sent home with a 14 day supply of Previcox®. Previcox is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory that is used for the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in canines. Please follow the package instructions.

Food & Water:

- When you get your pet home, offer him/her a small amount of water. If your pet drinks it and does not vomit, then offer twice the original amount.

- Two hours later if no vomiting has occurred, offer ¼ of the amount of food in a normal meal. If your pet eats and no vomiting occurs in a 2-hour time period, then you may resume normal feeding(s).

- Please call Dr. Dew’s or your veterinarian’s office if your pet does not drink within the first 6 hours of being home or if vomiting occurs.

Rechecks:

- Your pet should be rechecked by Dr. Dew 7-14 days following surgery. Please call (866) 838-4282 to schedule this appointment.

Exercise Restriction:

- For 4 weeks following surgery, your pet will need to be restricted to leash activity only.

- Free running, rough playing or jumping on/off furniture or decks should not be allowed.

- If more than 1 or 2 stairs need to be negotiated on a regular basis, this should be done in a controlled fashion with your pet on a leash.

Physical Therapy:

- For the first 2 weeks, your pet should be walked in the yard on a leash 3-4 times daily.

- During the second week, you may take your pet on 2 daily walks of 1-2 blocks.

- After the second week, you can double the length of the walks each week. You wish to see slow steady progress. At the end of each week, limb use should be improved slightly.

- Slow leash walking up a moderate hill will cause your pet to use the operated leg and regain function.

- Swimming is excellent activity to promote and improve joint function. Swimming may begin 2 – 3 weeks after surgery.

- If your pet’s limb use is not improving or you notice a sudden decrease in limb use, please call Dr. Dew’s office immediately – (866) 838-4282.