Ocd In Ankle Joint

[Ebby&Indii]

Hi, Not sure if this is the right spot to post this or not but any help would be greatly appreciated. I have a six month old neo mastiff who has just been diagnosed with OCD in one of her rear ankle joints. My vet is fantastic and has explained it all to me in "vet" terms but I was wondering if anyone has had experience with this condition and if they have could they please explain it in layman terms. Thanks in advance..

[KJ]

Sorry your pup has hock ocd :D

With ocd the cartilage is damaged and often a flap of cartilage breaks free. It is very painful for the dog. Is your pup going to have surgery?

My Lab, Henrietta, had surgery for hock ocd when she was just over 6 months old and now,12 months later, has just had a tarsal arthrodesis (ankle fusion). She had very bad arthritis and was in constant pain. 2 weeks after her surgery she is a much happier and pain free pup ;)

Edited December 3, 2009 by KJ

[Ebby&Indii]

Hi KJ,

Thank You for your reply. Indigo is booked into to see a specialist next Tuesday. I spoke to him today on the telephone and he said that he will probably re-xray and then operate on Indigo while she is under anaesetic (not spelt right, sorry). This is a little stressful for all of us as you would know. She is actually favouring that leg but surprisingly enough doesn't appear to be in a lot of pain at this stage. She is still quite playful with our other dog. I am still quite anxious to get the surgery done as soon as possible and next Tuesday is the soonest that the specialist can get us in (the specialist is two and a half hours away from us).. He did state that only around 60% of operations are successful, was yours not? Is that why you had to have the ankle fusion done??? The vet did mention what would happen if surgery was unsuccessful but in all honesty I think I had tuned out by then as it is quite overwhelming dealing with something like this when have you never even heard of it before.. I am very glad to hear that Henrietta is now much happier and pain free. :D Thank You so much for responding to my question and explaining ocd to me..

[KJ]

Hi KJ,

Thank You for your reply. Indigo is booked into to see a specialist next Tuesday. I spoke to him today on the telephone and he said that he will probably re-xray and then operate on Indigo while she is under anaesetic (not spelt right, sorry). This is a little stressful for all of us as you would know. She is actually favouring that leg but surprisingly enough doesn't appear to be in a lot of pain at this stage. She is still quite playful with our other dog. I am still quite anxious to get the surgery done as soon as possible and next Tuesday is the soonest that the specialist can get us in (the specialist is two and a half hours away from us).. He did state that only around 60% of operations are successful, was yours not? Is that why you had to have the ankle fusion done??? The vet did mention what would happen if surgery was unsuccessful but in all honesty I think I had tuned out by then as it is quite overwhelming dealing with something like this when have you never even heard of it before.. I am very glad to hear that Henrietta is now much happier and pain free. Thank You so much for responding to my question and explaining ocd to me..

I was told that only 40% of dogs do clinically well after surgery for ocd of the hock. You have probably been told that the hock is the worst (and least common) place to have ocd and has the most guarded prognosis.

Has you vet explained your xrays to you? I have a really good one, that shows a cartilage flap, if you are interested in seeing it.

After she recovered from her surgery, Henrietta was probably good for a month then started to become progressively lame and uncomfortable. It got to the stage where I often had to carry her to bed at night, she was always in pain and I wondered about her quality of life The joint fusion is a big operation but her only chance at being pain free. She now faces 6 weeks in a cast but as I said before already she is a much happier and pain free girl.

Good luck on Tuesday and let me know if you have any more questions.

[Ebby&Indii]

I was told that only 40% of dogs do clinically well after surgery for ocd of the hock. You have probably been told that the hock is the worst (and least common) place to have ocd and has the most guarded prognosis.

Has you vet explained your xrays to you? I have a really good one, that shows a cartilage flap, if you are interested in seeing it.

After she recovered from her surgery, Henrietta was probably good for a month then started to become progressively lame and uncomfortable. It got to the stage where I often had to carry her to bed at night, she was always in pain and I wondered about her quality of life The joint fusion is a big operation but her only chance at being pain free. She now faces 6 weeks in a cast but as I said before already she is a much happier and pain free girl.

Good luck on Tuesday and let me know if you have any more questions.

Thanks KJ,

I wonder why we have been given different % succcess rates? My normal vet didn't actually think that it was ocd to start with as he couldn't see any cartilage present in the x-rays he performed, he forwarded the x-rays onto the specialist who then made the call that it was ocd. I would really like to see your x-rays before Tuesday if that is alright then maybe I will be able to make some comparisons between the two.. I must say that you now have me a little worried KJ, Indigo is already 35 kgs at six months and if the operation is unsuccessful there is no way that I am going to be able to pyhsically carry her anywhere.. Medically do they have to wait a certain time between the operations? Does time vary between animals with healing (I mean would I necessarily know within a month if the surgery had been a success or may it take longer with some dogs??) When you say big operation and six weeks in a cast, I would imagine her mobility is fairly limited at the moment - is she able to get around by herself??? I can't imagine that I Will have ANY chance of moving an 18 month old Neo around.. And no my vet didn't actually tell me that the hock is the worst and least common place for ocd, he seemed to think that it was a "big dog" thing. That in itself is now worrying me, I wonder if I should seek another opinion, also should I contact the breeder and let her know this has happened??. So many questions, sorry to bombard you with them all but it is always different talking to someone who has actually been through the whole thing already....Hope Henrietta is coping with her cast okay and once again thanks for all the info....

[sas]

You should absolutely contact the breeder.

[luvsdogs]

You should absolutely contact the breeder.

I agree. I don't know anything about ocd except what I've read in your thread. Whether it's hereditary (b4 any future matings with his parents) or caused through accident, but the breeder should know.

[KJ]

Here is Henritta's x-ray, when she was 6 months old. The abnormal hock is her left one. You can see where the cartilage has broken away.

I would not panic too much until you have had your consult with the specialist on Tuesday, maybe he will give a different diagnosis. If you are not happy with what he says get a second opinion. I do not mean to paint a picture of doom and gloom, Henrietta's case was bad and not every dog with ocd would do as poorly as her. It is possible to manage the condition medically and I am sure many do but after trying many options with Hen it was clear that the arthrodesis was the only way to take away the pain. She will have a gait abnormality but will be pain free.

Henrietta is doing fine with her cast. She is able to walk around but is on strict rest for 6 weeks.

The breeder should be notified.

[Hotwyr]

One of my homebred wires had OCD shoulder. Surgery was done at 9mths. Crate rest 3 months (our choice to do the extra month) the dog is now 6. Never had any side effects. Is a sled dog champion (running in a 3 dog team) show champion, multiple group winner....

Best post surgery care you could give is:

rest - even tho it kills you to lock them up

joint guard (or similar) - with glucosamine/condroiton, green lip mussels/shark cartiledge etc......

low protein adult food - not for large breeds (just make sure protein % is less than 20)

and finally keep their weight down....

Rae

[Ebby&Indii]

Hi, Thank You to all those who replied to my initial post. We have been to see the specialist and had the operation performed. Apparently a really bad case, so not overly confident about a great end result but Indigo's limp is already gone so that is good news for us. I am finding it nearly impossible to keep a 6 month old puppy contained 24/7 but am trying. Have contacted the breeder and all I can say is that I wish that my breeder was like some of the breeders here on this site....

[mokhahouse]

Just came across your thread.I dont have experience with hock OCD but I hope Indigo is recovering well. My choc lab Mokha had OCD of the elbow and his surgery was very successful.I was shocked at the size of the each of the three pieces of broken cartilage that came out. He was just over a year old at the time and keeping him quiet and confined was difficult but worth the efforts. He is doing so well now nearly 7 months later. If you have access to a swimming pool or are near a canine indoor pool I would highly recommend swimming for exercise post op. Mokha goes twice a week and it has been fantastic for his recovery and fitness.Mokha was never overweight but we have worked off a kilo to keep him lean and to be kind to his joints.Joint supplements IMO are an important part of the treatment as well.Please keep us updated with Indigos' progress.