Does anyone have experience with OCD, in general, or particularly in the hocks? It seems to be rather rare in the hocks. There isn't much info and what there is is not good. My sweet Cally, now a two year old, had OCD in both hocks diagnosed in Sept 2013, had surgery. Come Jan when she was cleared to slowly return to regular activity, she seemed well. During a heavy snow fall that lingered son the ground (unusual here) she must have stressed out the hocks jumping thru snow drifts to go potty. The limping then was worse than before the surgery. Steroid shots were injected. She did great for 3 weeks, then the signs of lameness creeped back. We went for a second opinion on why she wasn't getting better. New vet specialist says she won't get better, just manage with weight control and NSAIDs. He put her on Carpaquin 75mg and she is doing much, much better. Just looking for what works for others, what life on NSAIDs will be like, what to watch out for, etc.
Re: Osteochondrosis Dissecans or OCD in the Hocks Sorry to hear that the joint problem hasn't resolved to the degree hoped. Did the vet say that it was arthritis? Glad that the NSAIDS are helping a lot I've only got experience of using them in an old dog and that kind if thing certainly helped him. My understanding is that they are a safe, long term option.
Re: Osteochondrosis Dissecans or OCD in the Hocks Rachel, the first specialty group said the surgery would go a long way to minimizing arthritis and would certainly delay it's probable development. Their reports after the steroid shots say "moderate arthritis". The second opinion vet says, based on all the X-rays sent by group #1, there was enough change to the bone before the surgery that she will have issues ... She will never recover, she is as good as she can be. Sort of the good news is, she doesn't know or understand that life is not normal for her. She is happy, sweet and to look at her you don't know there is underlying discomfort. Beth
Re: Osteochondrosis Dissecans or OCD in the Hocks They certainly do adapt well, and they never complain. They just get on with it, don't they You're doing all you can to make her as happy and comfortable as you possibly can and I'm sure she'll get along just fine
Re: Osteochondrosis Dissecans or OCD in the Hocks I haven't coped with arthritis - but I will have to in the future. My boy had cruciate surgery, so in time, arthritis will progress in the joint. We have been lucky right now, there wasn't arthritic change before surgery, and none can be detected now on the x-rays, but it will be there, just not evident yet. So I've studied very hard about what can be done, and there isn't a lot. There is no cure, or reversing the effects, only managing. Arthritis progresses quickly, so the aim is the slow the development. From what I've read NSAIDS help, but with a long term risk of tummy problems. Keeping a dog slim is key. I also have Charlie on joint supplements, and he'll stay on them forever but the evidence of whether they make any difference is mixed. For my boy (stifle) massage might help, applying heat/cold, laser treatment, accupuncture, physio, and hydrotherapy are worth trying in terms of pain relief and maintaining mobility. It's good if you can learn about these things from well qualified professionals, as for dogs I think the quality of practitioners does vary, at least in the UK.
Re: Osteochondrosis Dissecans or OCD in the Hocks Hi Beth, Sorry to hear this. I don't know about this in detail, but know that early surgery is good in OCD, and can delay arthritis. My girl is almost 4 and had severe hip dysplasia diagnosed before she was a year old. We have kept her light (24kg), take her swimming once every 2-3 weeks at a hydro pool (not FORMAL hydrotherapy such as Julie's Charlie has had), and she takes Omega-3 fishoils as recommended by the ortho vet and has taken NSAIDs long term since diagnosis (Previcox for us). I know that NSAIDs can cause stomach irritation, and also long term can have kidney issues, by my vet doesn't seem concerned about this and certainly isn't doing any regular monitoring of this. She is very good though, and hasn't limped for ages, having adapted very well to her condition. The other thing worth saying, that in human's x-rays need to be correlated with clinical findings, and x-ray changes can be found in "normal" subjects, as well as those who have pain having apparently normal x-rays. How your dog is acting and behaving is the important thing. Wishing you luck x (Typos edited - oops!)
Re: Osteochondrosis Dissecans or OCD in the Hocks I don't know much about the subject, but I have had two older dogs on NSAID's for a long period of time. It certainly changed their lives for the better - we called them their 'happy pills' . I tried to keep the dosage low though, as I was aware of possible long-term issues. Good luck, and your girl sounds like a happy dog, lucky to have a caring and loving owner.
Re: Osteochondrosis Dissecans or OCD in the Hocks Meg was diagnosed with OCD when she was eight but didn't need surgery. She had a course of cartrophen, and twice weekly hydrotherapy sessions for 3 years and now we go once a week. It's certainly helped her, she hasn't needed any other medication but I do give her glucosamine and choindroitin. She's been on that she was 8. Because it was in her food (Arden Grange which she has now refused to eat, that's another story ) I checked with vet and she said it would be ok to give her even though it was in her food. Good luck with your lovely girl.
Re: Osteochondrosis Dissecans or OCD in the Hocks I cant add anything to what has already been said, but just to wish your dear girl lots of luck
Re: Osteochondrosis Dissecans or OCD in the Hocks thanks everyone. had a better chat with the vet last week. more info on flexilibty, going with the flow to manage Cally and NSAIDs. Will try water tread mill again this Thursday. Hoping she will handle it without lamness afterwards. The next real big test is the 6 day boat trip from NC to MD with daily morning, afternoon and evening dinghy rides to shore for exercise and potty.
