KJ

A couple of weeks ago, one of my Labs found a dead wallaby, on my property, and had a bit of a feed. 20 min after I removed her, from the wallaby, Asha had a big vomit.......it contained a mass of crawling, wriggling maggots

Here is Henritta's x-ray, when she was 6 months old. The abnormal hock is her left one. You can see where the cartilage has broken away.

I would not panic too much until you have had your consult with the specialist on Tuesday, maybe he will give a different diagnosis. If you are not happy with what he says get a second opinion. I do not mean to paint a picture of doom and gloom, Henrietta's case was bad and not every dog with ocd would do as poorly as her. It is possible to manage the condition medically and I am sure many do but after trying many options with Hen it was clear that the arthrodesis was the only way to take away the pain. She will have a gait abnormality but will be pain free.

Henrietta is doing fine with her cast. She is able to walk around but is on strict rest for 6 weeks.

The breeder should be notified.

Hi KJ,

Thank You for your reply. Indigo is booked into to see a specialist next Tuesday. I spoke to him today on the telephone and he said that he will probably re-xray and then operate on Indigo while she is under anaesetic (not spelt right, sorry). This is a little stressful for all of us as you would know. She is actually favouring that leg but surprisingly enough doesn't appear to be in a lot of pain at this stage. She is still quite playful with our other dog. I am still quite anxious to get the surgery done as soon as possible and next Tuesday is the soonest that the specialist can get us in (the specialist is two and a half hours away from us).. He did state that only around 60% of operations are successful, was yours not? Is that why you had to have the ankle fusion done??? The vet did mention what would happen if surgery was unsuccessful but in all honesty I think I had tuned out by then as it is quite overwhelming dealing with something like this when have you never even heard of it before.. I am very glad to hear that Henrietta is now much happier and pain free. Thank You so much for responding to my question and explaining ocd to me..

I was told that only 40% of dogs do clinically well after surgery for ocd of the hock. You have probably been told that the hock is the worst (and least common) place to have ocd and has the most guarded prognosis.

Has you vet explained your xrays to you? I have a really good one, that shows a cartilage flap, if you are interested in seeing it.

After she recovered from her surgery, Henrietta was probably good for a month then started to become progressively lame and uncomfortable. It got to the stage where I often had to carry her to bed at night, she was always in pain and I wondered about her quality of life The joint fusion is a big operation but her only chance at being pain free. She now faces 6 weeks in a cast but as I said before already she is a much happier and pain free girl.

Good luck on Tuesday and let me know if you have any more questions.

Sorry your pup has hock ocd :D

With ocd the cartilage is damaged and often a flap of cartilage breaks free. It is very painful for the dog. Is your pup going to have surgery?

My Lab, Henrietta, had surgery for hock ocd when she was just over 6 months old and now,12 months later, has just had a tarsal arthrodesis (ankle fusion). She had very bad arthritis and was in constant pain. 2 weeks after her surgery she is a much happier and pain free pup ;)

I love it when you post your fantastic photos! Calenders, books, cards...........I would buy them all ;)

Thanks for the replies:)

Back from the vet (with antibiotics), it is the upper carnassial tooth and it has to be removed

Henrietta was already booked in for surgery this week, so we have contacted the surgeon to see if he will remove the tooth at the same time as her other procedure.

Have just noticed Henrietta has a slab fracture to a premolar. Have had this with one of my other girls and the tooth was fine for 6 years and eventually abcessed and was removed. This tooth is different, there is a hole in and I can see what I assume is the pulp:eek: In this case is the tooth generally removed or are there other options?

I will be making a vet appointment as soon as they open today:)

Henrietta..........

her mum, Teddy......

and her grandmother, Sooty.......

Does anyone have a dogs that has had a hock arthrodesis(fusion). I am interested to know about the recovery from surgery and the outcome, thanks.

My Lab is a small and lean 20kgs so she only needs one scoop a day.

I use Glyde for my young Lab, as recommended by her specialist. One container lasts about 3 months which is pretty good.

The best place I have found for Glyde is www.valuevet.com.au

I had a lab puppy who, at 6 weeks of age, developed puppy strangles and was put on cortisone, which further weakend her already weak immune system and she was affected by neospora. At 10 weeks old she became paralysed in her hind legs, she did respond to treatment and lots of physio and was up and walking but at 12 weeks, after doing so well, she was again unable to walk and gave me that look that told me she had had enough

She was fed raw human grade beef mince. None of her litter mates were affected.

So sorry for your loss, Labsrule

What a beautiful tribute to such a very special Labrador....... run free Fitzy.

So sorry

So glad the boys are back!

I love, love, love your photos

Thanks for the reply, it is good to hear of a positive outcome ;)

Clifford looks really happy. I see what you mean about his straight back legs! I already keep my girl lean and I know it is a great help.

What does BRD mean??

Just wondering if there is anyone on the forum who has a dog with ocd of the hock?

My pup had surgery at 6 months but now, at 16 months, is very lame again She is seeing her specialist on Wed.

I know the prognosis is not as good as for ocd of the shoulder or elbows but hopefully some DOLers have some successful outcome/treatment stories.

I use Glyde for my puppy who has multiple joint problems. This product was recomended by our specialist.

YOur photos are soooooooo cool and funny, I could look at them all day. I love them

Fantastic photos!

Here is a pic of a show Lab. She is a Dual Champion (Tracking), very fit and healthy and ran 8km with me today :D

Stacyk........I remember you posting about your puppy, it does seem similar to what Zoezoom's puppy is going through. How is your puppy now?

Any results yet, Zoezoom? Cute puppy photo! Going on that photo and the symptoms, I would be very surprised if it is puppy strangles.

Hi KJ

No pustules or boils to date thank goodness! I am very concerned over cortisone medication but gather there is no other remedy. She is already small for her age. She is now 5 months.

I am sure that strangles is usually accompanied by boils/pustules. Cortisone is the treatment for strangles but if your pup has had issues since 9 weeks of age and is now 5 months old, I would seriously doubt strangles because if not treated your pup would be lucky to still be alive. Strangles is such a horrible condition

Here is Henrietta at her worst...........

And now aged 1......

Does your puppy have pustules/boils on his face?

In my last litter had 2 puppies come down with strangles. The first one got it at only 6 weeks of age and sadly had to be put to sleep at 12 weeks, the cortisone severley weakened her already weak immune system and allowed another disease to take over

Then Henrietta, after her 12 week vaccianation, also developed puppy strangles. It was a tough battle for Henri, thought she would die, but she eventually recovered and has just had her first birthday. The cortisone did stunt her growth, I think she took it for around 2.5 months and she had a big growth spurt as soon as she was weaned off it but is still very small.......she now has multiple joint problems

I will look for a couple of pics.......