I have a 12 month old choc lab who has been limping for about 3 weeks. He's just had an x-ray showing that he has OCD. Our vet has put him onto anti-inflammatories and restricted exercise to see if he "stabilises". I am trying to find out what daily life with OCD is like and whether he will ever be allowed to free run again.

OCD is not nice for a puppy because of the restricted exercise but longer term is not so bad. The limping is caused by little pieces of cartilage which break away and stand up like flaps in the joint. These flaps are called "Mice". Eventually most mice break right away and disperse causing no further problem. In a few cases where the mice do not break away then surgery is necessary to remove them. The restricted exercise should avoid and permanent damage being done to the joint and the one Lab of mine who suffered with this as a puppy led a long and happy life with no restrictions once the OCD cleared up.

Unfortunately OCD is hereditary so obviously he should not be used at stud.

Regards, John

If the OCD is severe, it will mean a restricted life, my friends Lab had it in her stifles, she was operated on and she has had to be walked on a lead all her life, the one time she got loose, she came back crippled and was laid up for weeks. Many cases are very successful, keep your Lab as quiet as possible to give him the best possible chance.
Dawn.