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Osteochondrosis dissecans  (OCD)

By: Brigitte Rhinehart



Osteochondrosis is a generalized disturbance  of the normal development of cartilage.
The articular cartilage becomes  abnormally thickened and small fissures and cracks
may develop. The "dissecans"  refers to the stage when cartilage becomes
dissected resulting in cartilage  flaps. These flaps may remain attached or
become loose and fall into the joint  space. In Swissys, the vast majority of
OCD cases occur in the shoulder joints  and occasionally in other joints such as
elbows and hocks. The onset of the  disease may begin as early as at 4 months
and as late as at 14 months. The most  typical age of appearance, however, is
between 6 and 8 months. Except for very  mild cases without flap development,
the clinical signs are almost invariably  persistent, and less frequently,
intermittent lameness. The dog may be stiff  after resting and the lameness is
usually aggravated by exercise. OCD is  diagnosed by radiography. However, in
the early stages, radiographic findings  might be inconclusive. In such
situations, contrast radiography (arthrography)  may be necessary for definite
diagnosis. Treatment depends on the severity of  the case. OCD lesion in the
shoulder joint. Lesion evident on the joint surface  of the humeral head 
 
Mild cases without cartilage flaps may be  treated and heal spontaneously with
several weeks of rest and treatment with the  drug Adequan and supplements such
as Glucosamine and Chondroitin, MSM and  Vitamin C. Many cases, however, will
require surgery which consists of the  removal of flaps and loose fragments and
the scraping and smoothening of the  defective surface. Surgical repair of OCD
of the shoulder usually renders  excellent results. Surgical results involving
other sites are not as  predictable. 

Because mild forms of OCD can occur without  presenting clinical signs, a prudent
approach is to radiograph shoulders prior  to breeding so that affected Swissys
can be eliminated from a breeding program.  In fact, Swiss health data has
convincingly shown that by excluding affected  dogs and bitches, incidences of
OCD can be significantly  reduced.

 


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