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Our journey with OCD (Osteochondritis Dissecans)

12K views 65 replies 13 participants last post by  CAROLINA MOM 
#1 ·
It started with an intermittent hind leg limp, most often occurring after resting after playing hard, the limp quite noticeable on rising but fading as he used the leg. Thinking it was an injury, that would heal in time, he was put on restricted activities for a couple of weeks, and he seemed to heal, but soon the limp was back again. A vet exam and two sets of x-rays about 6 weeks apart, revealed no discernible cause and he was given anti-inflammatory and rested again, he improved, then it returned again. Our vet, determined to find the reason for the recurring hind leg limp, requested that we have another set of x-rays done about a month later, in the meantime Cache had developed an intermittent front leg limp, the x-rays revealed a preliminary diagnosis of Osteochondritis Dissecans, in both his front and hind left leg, and we were told to get him seen and evaluated by an orthopedic vet. A physical exam and all x-rays viewed by the orthopedic vet and forwarded to another specialist for a second opinion revealed that OCD is indeed what we are dealing with, and he is (most likely) going to be needing surgery. Heart breaking news to hear.
So our journey begins. Cache was put on anti-inflammatory medication for a week, as well as pain management which he will continue to take for as long as necessary. His 'wings' have been 'clipped' no more chasing ball, no running, jumping or playing with his best friend, leash walks only and lots, and lots and lots of 'brain games'. The second specialist will be seeing Cache soon for a 'hands on' exam, and to answer the many questions ripping through our minds and ultimately see us, along with the other orthopedic vet, through the whole process of getting Cache well and back on his feet and 'flying' again. Fingers crossed all goes well!
Dog Mammal Vertebrate Dog breed Australian collie
 
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#12 ·
Thank you for sharing your experience with this surgery, having an idea what to expect is really helpful.
I can imagine it will be quite a challenge, though he is on week two of restricted exercise and so far, has done well with extra short walks and brain games. He is truly not happy that his favorite toys disappeared, his coffee can and jolly ball have 'vanished', the fetch balls are all up on a shelf.
We have an appointment Monday, the 17th with the specialist for his pre-op exam, and then we take it from there.

It is hard on the heart to have to put a puppy through something like this, but, if it gives him a chance at a pain free future, it will be worth it.
 
#13 ·
We had our pre-surgery visit this morning, and Cache is scheduled for surgery in early January. The shoulder surgery will be done via arthroscopy, if it is confirmed by x-rays (taken the morning of the surgery) that he needs surgery on his left hock as well (right now it appears that he does) it will be done at the same time and (most likely) be an open surgery due to the complexity and size of the hock joint. The prognosis for the shoulder surgery is good, most dogs do really well after they have healed, he said the hock surgery is a bit more iffy, dogs tend to get arthritis in that joint once they get older.
So for now, we keep him comfortable with pain management, and continue to restrict his activities.
 
#17 ·
It was tough to hear, to have no choice, no other option, but to do the surgery, that is for sure, but at least now we have an idea what direction this journey will take and will do everything we can to make it a successful one - for Cache's sake!
 
#22 ·
Well, we have another 'surprise' - was devastated to hear there was more, though I knew there was a possibility despite him showing no signs of discomfort. The specialist took pre-op xrays of all of Cache's joints to make sure nothing else was going on with his joints, and it turns out he has OCD in his right shoulder as well as the left, as well as confirming OCD in his left hock. So, he is having arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder as well today. Given the location of the 'chip' in his hock the vet said he is going to try to get it out using the scope as well.
I am sure the poor boy is going to come out of this feeling like he had been hit by a truck, and recovery is going to be a long haul for him, but long term there is real hope that he can live the life he was born to live.
 
#24 ·
Cache is out of surgery and doing well. We will be picking him up later this evening (after 7) and we can begin our 4 to 6 week journey to recovery. Two weeks of taking it easy - strictly on leash - out for potty breaks only, to allow the joints to heal, then we can gradually introduce short leash walks and see how it goes from there. The specialist said some dogs fully recover in 4 weeks, some take a bit longer, so we just need to take it one day at a time.

Cache's condition was not obvious early on, occasionally he would limp after vigorous exercise and with rest it would disappear, leading us to believe it was a matter of over doing it, if not for my gut 'knowing' something wasn't quite right, and the persistence of his vet to discover the reason for these mysterious limping episodes, he would have suffered with this painful condition much longer than he has. (He has been on pain management medication for the last month and will remain on them until they are no longer necessary.)
 
#25 ·
Poor Cache. I wish there was a way to explain to them what has happened. I know he's in the best hands with you to help him recover.
 
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#28 ·
Will Cache be doing underwater treadmill therapy? I don't know much about OCD, but Callie had a partially torn ACL and I took her to PT where she did underwater treadmill therapy and it was great for her. We also used a cold laser on her which prevented any arthritis from setting in which typically happens with a torn ligament. I wonder if either or both of these treatments would help. I know arthritis comes hand in hand with ligament issues.
 
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