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Welcome to Breezy Ridge Farm, home of our Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs!

OCD (Osteochondrosis) of the Shoulder

Osteochondrosis, or OCD, is a relatively common and painful orthopedic issue in large, fast-growing breeds of dogs. Although OCD can occur in many joints, from ankles to elbows, in Swissies it most commonly occurs in the shoulder joint. OCD is characterized by abnormal cartilage-to-bone transformation (ossification) which leads to the development of a loose piece or flap of cartilage in the joint capsule. This flap of cartilage, in the joint, often causes moderate to severe discomfort until it is treated or, in some rare cases, heals on its own. If untreated, this loose cartilage can give rise to secondary degenerative joint disease.

Most dogs affected with OCD will develop clinical signs (lameness) before twelve months of age, as this disease most often strikes during rapid growth periods in a puppy's development. It can occur unilaterally, or in both the left and right joints. Depending on the size and location of the cartilage flap, there is a chance that with extensive crate rest a dog with OCD can heal itself, and this has been reported in some Swissies. That said, it is usually more expedient and humane to treat OCD with surgery, to remove the cartilage flap. This type of surgery has a very high success rate and most dogs go on to live perfectly normal lives with no pain in the affected joint.

It is also best to keep young Swissies as lean and fit as possible while they are growing, and minimizing strain and impact to the joints. While this does not remove any genetic tendency a dog may have toward OCD, it may help suppress the expression of that predisposition. At the very least, should OCD occur, an overweight, out-of-shape puppy will most likely suffer more and be slower to heal.

The best prevention for OCD it to not breed dogs who have it. OCD is believed to be inherited, though the exact mode of inheritance is unknown, so dogs with OCD should not be bred. This is why it is so important to insist on shoulder clearances when investigating the parents of any prospective litter.

 

 

 

 

 

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