Can someone explaain in simple terms exactly what osteochondritis is and what is the prognosis. thank you

OCD or osteochrondrosis dessicans is a joint problem mainly affecting large breeds, typically Labradors, Rottweilers, that sort of dog. Diagnosed by x-ray it is when cartlidge breaks off in joints and floats around or pieces are left hanging on. These are called "joint mice" Surgery usually helps but some cases remain chronic and the affected dog is likely to suffer with arthritis in later life. Hope this helps

Star

Has the vet confirmed OCD?
Reason i ask is my rottie bitch got up 1 morning last year slightly lame,we rested her for the rest of the day but later that evening she was in real pain,anyhow rushed her to the vet and he thought she had pulled something and we were to rest her for a week.
A few days later I wasnt happy she was getting worse not better took her back and he said he thought she had ocd,
took x-rays and still thought ocd,as she was insured he sent her to a specialist who done tons of x-rays only to find out she had an infection in her synovial fluid (it lubricates the joints).I read tons and tons about it
but even if yours does get ocd the prognosis is still good,they can grow out of it,I will take a look and see if I can find the sites I read.Best of luck but dont worry too much.

Thanks carolyn
Actually it is a friend of mine. the vet thinks it is ocd but has sent the xrays off to a 'specialist' for advice. My friend is really worried. However I use the same vet and he told me exactly the same thing last year with my dog but when the x ray report came back it said not ocd, but a soft tissue injury from which she is now fully recovered. My friend actually works at this vet so could hang on to his every word but off the record he is not large practice and if the verdict is correct we need to decide what to do next. I have heard some people say surgery but others say definitely not, try medical treatment. the results will be back in a few days, but I am just trying to find basic info for my friend as vets do tend to use a lot of jargon. Should we get another opinion.

TH was diagnosed with elbow trouble at 5 months and she had joint supplements, which work to help develop cartilege etc. and she is now fine. We did have specialist x-rays when the limping returned, but it turned out to be nothing more than a muscle strain. (Idiot fell off a wall!)

I have some website addresses from when I did research and I'll post these up later.

In the meantime, if you can search through the archives, you may be able to find all the postings about Shirley's Viszla Rhum, who had similar trouble.

Our Bernese was diagnosed with OCD at 6 months. She is now 7 yrs old (which is the average age for a healthy Bernie) & still charges around like a puppy most of the time, although when she walks her front legs are so far apart you could drive a bus through them. It hasn't got bad enough for the vet to recomend surgery, she is no longer insured as the insurers say it is hereditary so wouldn't pay for any treatment.

PetPlan paid up for all of TH's treatment and as it's cover for life, there was no premium increase this year.

Thanks, I will let tou know the results later this week.

http://www.vetinfo.com/
this is a very good site for all pet illnesses
I found the advice very interesting
hope it helps
How is your friends dog?

Thanks.
Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) the x ray report was not conclusive. they were unsure as to what could be seen. Her vet is keeping him on Metacam for a month but did offer to 'open him up and have a look' which my friend declined at this stage. The specialist hospital also offered to have him referred and an exploratory op. My friend is not opting for any surgery at this stage. The dog is a bit improved but is quite an active dog and reluctant to rest. Fingers crossed it is just a soft tissue injury.