OCD in horses: a degenerative joint condition.
The prognosis is good for your horse if it is detected early or prevented by a careful diet. Your equine veterinarian can perform imaging tests to determine the extent of the osteochondrosis; treatment may include medication, dietary supplementation or perhaps even surgery depending on the severity of the condition.
Some people with OCD can be completely cured after treatment. Others may still have OCD, but they can enjoy significant relief from their symptoms. Treatments typically employ both medication and lifestyle changes including behavior modification therapy.
Living with osteochondritis dissecansBut they might not be able to keep playing sports with repetitive motions, such as pitching in baseball. Adults are more likely to need surgery. They are less likely to be completely cured of the condition.
The osteochondral autologous transplantation (OAT) procedure done for large OCD lesions involves a single surgery and takes advantage of implanting mature autologous bone and cartilage, which have excellent survival rates.
Learn to Recognize the Symptoms of EPM
- Ataxia (incoordination), spasticity (stiff, stilted movements), abnormal gait or lameness.
- Incoordination and weakness which worsens when going up or down slopes or when head is elevated.
Osteochondritis dissecans is a bone and cartilage condition that most often occurs in the knee. It has no known cause, but repetitive stress on the joint, low vitamin D and a genetic predisposition are often linked to this condition.
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a type of skeletal maturation problem that affects joint cartilage and also often involves the subchondral bone just beneath the cartilage surface.
“Osteoarthritis refers to deterioration of a joint or joints that is characterized by progressive loss of cartilage,†Watkins said. “The inflammation associated with osteoarthritis causes pain and swelling of the affected joints.†Cases of equine osteoarthritis can be divided into two groups: primary and secondary.
Bog spavin is excessive fluid in the largest of the hock joints. This can result in slight or severe enlargement of the hock. One or both hocks may be affected. It is more commonly seen in younger horses, although it can occur at any age.
Overriding dorsal spinous processes, or “kissing spinesâ€, occur when two or more bony projections at the top of the vertebrae (dorsal spinous processes) touch or overlap. The exact cause is not well understood and many horses with kissing spines do not show any clinical signs.
The stifle is the area where the tibia (the bone that forms your horse's gaskin) meets the femur (the bone that extends up to his hip) and it can be compared to our own knees – when you pick up a horse's hind leg, the joint bends forwards, just as your knee does when you walk up stairs.
Many horses with bog spavin do not require treatment. Rest and anti-inflammatory treatment such as phenylbutazone (bute) and topical anti-inflammatory gels can be useful in the early stages.
Osteochondrosis is a term used to describe a group of disorders that affect the growing skeleton. These disorders result from abnormal growth, injury, or overuse of the developing growth plate and surrounding ossification centers.
Osteochondritis dissecans (os-tee-o-kon-DRY-tis DIS-uh-kanz) is a joint condition in which bone underneath the cartilage of a joint dies due to lack of blood flow. This bone and cartilage can then break loose, causing pain and possibly hindering joint motion.
Cerebellar abiotrophy is a neurological genetic disease found mostly in the Arabian horse breed. There is no way to cure cerebellar abiotrophy and it is not contagious, but there are ways to prevent the spread of it through responsible breeding practices.
Shivers is a neuromuscular disorder that can cause apparent lameness in horses. The syndrome principally affects the draft horse breeds.
To diagnose osteochondritis dissecans, the doctor will perform a physical examination and will assess the joint's stability. The doctor may order tests, including the following: X-rays, which will show the bone, locate the lesion and reveal its size. A magnetic resonance imaging test (MRI), along with an ultrasound.
The hock links the lower leg bones to the tibia in a horse's upper leg. It consists of four basic joints and multiple bones and ligaments. The upper joint (the tibiotarsal joint) is responsible for extensions and the majority of the hock mobility. The bottom three joints handle the remaining movement (about 10%).
