OCD
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OCD |
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Boos X Rays have been returned after elbow scoring. His score is 0:0 so they are the best score possible. OCD Bailey a puppy from Boos first litter was diagnosed with OCD (Osteochondritis Dissecans) he was just six months old and has been operated on and they expect a full recovery to working level. This of course raised questions for myself on genetics and Boo’s stud status, my first instinct was to pull Boo from stud. I have spoken to the girl who owns Bailey and also have looked into OCD and what they know about it. Firstly the vet who diagnosed Bailey does not seem to believe the OCD is genetically inherited. He thinks it is due to diet, growth etc. Bailey was a BIG pup who grew incredibly fast, more so than the others, we think this could have affected it? As far as I know there is not any particular history of OCD in Boos lines. Pam at Mobella who has Boos dad hasn't heard of it in any of Tuckers (Boos Dad) babies. I have found some wonderful information on the web about OCD. The first being from the American BCC… BAILEY UPDATES!!! 14/11/2007 Bailey is now well into his life. The operation was successful and he has made a full recovery! His life and agility careeer should be as comfortable and healthy as any dog! 01/08/2006: Bailey was looking a little lame on Sunday and so we took him to the vet Monday morning. They said he needed to be x-rayed asap as he suspected OCD in his shoulder (basically he had very little cartilage and reduced muscle). He went in for the x-ray this morning and the vet strongly suspects OCD although there is the slight chance it could be a dislocation. She has referred us to an orthopaedic specialist and we won't really know any more till then. Both vets we have seen so far suspect his diet as one of the main causes. 14/08/2006: Bailey was confirmed as having OCD in his shoulder and has had a keyhole op on it. He now has to be rested for a month and we will go from there. 21/08/2006: Bailey is currently doing well and is going to the vet tonight to have his stitches out. 19/09/2006: Bailey is recovering well, hating being kept from excersise but we hope to have him back up soon. 16/04/2007: In the last few months Bailey has done really, really well. He now seems physically sound and has started his agility training. He is doing very well, http://www.americanbordercollie.org/Health%20and%20Genetics%20of%20Border%20Collies.htm Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) OCD is a condition that occurs primarily in puppies between the ages of 4-9 months, but can also be found in older puppies. It is considered to be a common disease in rapidly growing dogs of large breeds. However, medium breeds such as the Border Collie can also have a high incidence of this disease. It is seen twice as often in males as in females. The shoulder joint is the most commonly affected site but it can be seen in stifles, elbows, hocks or other joints. The diagnosis is usually confirmed by x-ray of the involved joints. In approximately one third of the cases of OCD, the disease is bilateral (in both joints). Occasionally, it is present in several different joints in the same individual. OCD is thought to be caused by a problem in the growth rate of the joint cartilage relative to the underlying subchondral bone. Although the factors that cause OCD are not completely understood, direct factors considered to be involved in the development of OCD are rapid growth and trauma to the joint. Indirect factors affecting rapid growth include nutrition, hormones, and genetic predisposition to rapid growth and large size. Indirect influences that may lead to increased trauma to the joint include conformation and behavior, which are also influenced by heredity. Therefore, the genetic link for most types of OCD is considered to be indirect, that is, an inherited tendency. Certain sites for OCD lesions, such as the elbow, appear to have a greater direct genetic contribution and a higher heritability than other sites, such as the shoulder. The most important contributing factor in OCD of the shoulder, the most common site, is thought to be trauma. OCD can best be prevented in growing puppies by controlling the main precipitating factors, overnutrition and activities that could result in injury to the joints. Because factors involved in the heritability of OCD are considered to be indirect, and therefore not easily controlled by selection, ABCA has no breeding recommendations for OCD at this time. Also this…
Osteochondritis / Osteochondrosis (Dissecans)
/OCD
How is it diagnosed?
What is the treatment? Back to Gemma... It seems that there can be a genetic ‘predisposition’ to OCD e.g. due to conformation or fast growing big pups rather than an inherited disease. Boo has been elbow scored at 0. This means his elbows are as good as possible so at least I know that he doesn't have any elbow displasia that may be passed onto puppies. I am happy that I have done all I can to look into any genetic weakness that Boo could pass to pups and have decided to keep him offered at stud. With the grading proceedure the BVA use this is part of the scan: 'The radiographs are examined independently by two scrutineers who will look for primary lesions such as Osteochondritis / Osteochondrosis (Dissecans) /OCD and the secondary osteoarthritis which occurs in ED' (Notes taken from BVA help sheet). I will keep you updated on Baileys progress and any other relevant news. Thanks for taking the time to read this! xxx |
