What is Osteochondrosis in Dogs?

As I lugged the crate with a rescue cat into the exam room, I noted that the vet looked like he had experienced a tough day. He explained that he had just had to tell a client that not one but both of her pets suffered from the same ailment: osteochondrosis in dogs.

What is osteochondrosis?

This is a pathological condition that affects both humans and dogs. According to PetMD, it is an overgrowth of cartilage. An affected dog develops thick areas of cartilage that are more resistant to movement than bone, which is stronger yet more flexible.

Vetinfo indicates that the disorder interrupts the normal cycle of the transformation of cartilage into bone. As a result, large flaps of cartilage accumulate at the ends of long bones and can easily detach. The animal can then develop secondary degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, and other painful health issues.

Experts assume a hereditary predisposition in some breeds. The illness appears to strike giant breeds such as Great Danes, Rottweilers, Bernese mountain dogs, Newfoundlands, Labrador retrievers, old English sheepdogs, and English setters. Other frequently affected breeds include German Shepherds, Bassett hounds, St. Bernards, English Mastiffs, Golden Retrievers, and Irish wolfhounds.

Vetrica reports that environmental influences are also at least partially responsible for osteochondrosis in dogs. The main environmental causes are a diet overly rich in calcium, phosphorus, and calories and excessive exercise in puppies.

Veterinarians refer to the several types of osteochondrosis according to the location of the illness in the dog, its severity, and its cause. The most common areas are a dog's shoulder, elbow, knee, and hock. The illness also has two phases. The acute phase occurs while the dog is still growing. Once growth has stopped, the disorder is in the chronic phase.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

A dog suffering from osteochondrosis experiences lameness and pain. The vet will probably also notice swelling of the joint affected, the Veterinary Medical Clinic says. Symptoms vary somewhat according to exactly where the disease occurs. For example, a dog might either limp or could try to compensate for being lame by refusing to move the joint. Sometimes the disorder affects elbows or legs on both side of the body but is more severe in one side, causing less muscle development there. An affected area is often sore to the touch.

Veterinarians make a diagnosis of canine osteochondrosis following a detailed medical history and physical exam that usually includes X-rays. The size and/or breed of the dog plays an important role in a diagnosis.

Treatment

The appropriate treatment for this disorder depends in large part on the age of the dog when diagnosed. Vets use a number of treatments for dogs who are still growing. The most conservative are pain relief, restricting exercise, and diet control.

For relief of pain, a vet might prescribe NSAIDs, meloxicam (brand name Metacam®), or carprofen (Rimadyl®, Norocarp®). As far as exercise, all large- and giant-breed puppies should go only short, regular walks until full grown. Dogs diagnosed with the disorder should go on three walks a day, limited to 10 to 15 minutes each.

It's important to halt any vitamin or mineral supplements in breeds commonly affected. Many of these pets simply are growing too fast, so it's important for owners to follow the daily caloric intake stated by the manufacturer of the food the vet recommends.

Some dogs will need surgery, depending on the type of osteochondritis present. While some affected dogs have reached adulthood with little or no treatment, many have already responded in a positive fashion to conservative treatment. Others have had surgery but with a poor result. For all of them, the result is almost always arthritis in the affected joint that needs treatment.

While it's not always possible to avoid osteochondrosis in dogs, prospective owners of large or giant breeds should always ask the breeder about the health history of both of a pup's parents before bringing the dog home.

Sources:

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_dg_osteochondrosis#.TxtrfPlZdj8

http://www.vetinfo.com/osteochondrosis-ocd-in-dogs.html

http://www.vetrica.com/care/dog/osteochondrosis.shtml

http://www.vetmedclinic.com/?p=95