OCD questions and treatment

[Trevor Williams]

My dog has been diagnosed with OCD (Osteochondritis Dissecans) and the vet is suggesting surgery. Anyone have any experience with this disease? The vet came highly recommended but I always wonder if the procedure is really necessary or if the dog will grow out of it.

He quoted me $1500, does that sound like a fair price?

I have also been told about dogs that go in for minor surgery and because of over anesthetizing the dog comes out with diminished mental capacity.
Thoughts?

As always thanks for the help

[thunderdan]

Trevor,

Sorry to hear about your pup. Is it in his shoulder or elbow? Both or one? My yellow male had surgery in both shoulders about 6 years ago. I decided not to wait to see if he would grow out of it, but did the surgery at my vets reccomendation. I did speak with two vets about it and let them look at the films and they both agreed that surgery was the best option. You may also need to do rehab with him. The cost for the surgery was about 2800. He does not limp, and I have never heard of diminished mental capacity due to over anesthetizing.... Let me know if you have any specific questions....

[choch2odog]

I have a soon to be eight year old Master Hunter, HRCH that was diagnosed with bilateral OCD of the elbows at 7 months of age. Both elbows were scoped and he has had a productive career in both tests and the field. They will not grow out of it. Hopefully, it will slow down the progression of the arthritis. My dogs elbows sound and feel like a box of rocks and he is intermittently presents with a mild limp of the right elbow. But, he still loves to work and the surgery has given him the opportunity to have a career. It is my understanding that the success rate with shoulders is much higher with less long term complications. Good luck.

[Laura Heyden]

Years ago I had a Golden with OCD in the shoulder. He had surgery and never limped a day after the procedure. Last year, my young Golden was diagnosed with OCD in the elbow. He had the surgery and is not now, and probably won't be, sound. My guess is that the elbow is much more evasive than the larger shoulder. Good luck. If I ever have another issue, I won't hesitate with the surgery as even though Trip is no longer 100% he still moves and feels better than he did. In the end, I did choose to neuter as OCD is considered hereditary.

[Trevor Williams]

Thanks for the help, her OCD is in the shoulder so hopefully it will go well.