Osteochondritis dissecans

[dieMuttivonBifi]

Hello everyone, Bifi is 6mos. old and was diagnosed with Osteochondritis dissecans. does anyone here any experience with this problem? we went to an Orthopedic vet. when he started limping on his left front leg and it would slide on the side when he walks. now his breeder warned us before about our floor being too slippery for a puppy (it's a laminat and finished installation just a day before he arrived), but i see some of you have shiny wooden floors or tiles so i thought mine would be ok too. now our livingroom is carpeted ever since he started limping and it helped, he walked normally until yesterday. he was just out playing, although longer than usual but it wasn't even rough playing. when we were walking home he started limping again.

the ortho said from what he sees it's genetics and our floor couldn't have done that damage. i would like to have a second opinion because i want to have solid proof for the breeder, that it is infact genetics (and not our floor). the vet also said breeders don't test the dogs for this kind of disease. from the email he sent us it states that it COULD also be normal for the breed. we have a health guarantee from the breeder 'till he's a year old but i don't know if she'll honor it hence a second opinion. problem is there arent many bulldog specialist here in Germany. can i send Bifi's x-ray result to your loving bulldog specialist? we can pay via bank or paypal for professional fees.

it's frustrating to see him not chase the other puppies even if i know he wants to join their play. he would just sit there and watch or wait for them to pass by him then he would try to join in. thought at first it's cause he's just slow but now i realized it's because he might be in pain.

sorry for whining any inputs would be greatly appreciated. thank you! here's our floor looked like before being carpeted, taken the night he came home.

 

[ddnene]

to EBN!!! I'm so sorry you are having issues w/your baby Bifi, I have no experience w/osteochondritis but I will tag some members who will be able to advice you [MENTION=2]desertskybulldogs[/MENTION], [MENTION=2894]2BullyMama[/MENTION], [MENTION=2071]Davidh[/MENTION]
We have wood & tile floors in most of our house, and the dogs do slip & slide while they are playing so I put various rugs around the common areas.

 

[Marine91]

I am so sorry you are having to go through this. I do not know much about it other than it is a condition where the cartilage in the bones/joints are not converted to bone as they grow but other than that not much else. Bone and joint diseases can be a pain but many of they are treatable as i think this one is. Thoughts and prayers coming your way.

 

[2BullyMama]

So sorry you are going through all this and your Bifi is having issues.... I wonder if joint supplements would help, glucosamine?
We have hardwood now and had laminate when they we puppies.. never had any issue with them. Our second level is all carpet which is where they tend to go when they want to play

Also, I would contact some of the vetinary hospitals to seek a second opinion, they may not need to be a Bulldog specialist but just able to advice on the issue. Here in my area, University of Pennsylvannia is one of the best around. Look it up on the web and contact via email see if they will help in any way

Please keep us posted

 

[Samantha Orts]

It breaks my heart that he wants to play with the puppies but can't We have hard wood floors through the entire apartment and June has had no problems. We have a large area rug in our living room but it's mostly taken up by our couch and ottoman. I did read though that it's better for them to be on carpet if they can because they can grip the floors better, so we try to walk her a lot and take her to the dog park so she can run around on a soft, grassy area. We liked our bulldog vet, but have only seen him for shots since she's only almost 5 months old. Hopefully someone who has more experience with their vet can help you. Poor baby I hope everything turns out ok.

 

[Davidh]

So sorry for you and your pup. It is a genetic defect and is usually found in large breed dogs. Your floor did not cause this. I have hard wood floors and have never had a pup have any problem with the slick floors. If he has it in the shoulder or elbow, surgery has been most effective. If it's in the hock or the stifle, it can improve with surgery, but are more likely to develop degenerative joint disease later in the dog's life. There is also meds the vet can give you to help with the pain management and also one to help lubricate the joint, to help him. I feel for your pup, as he wants to play and it hurts too. Please keep us posted.

​

 

[dieMuttivonBifi]

Thank you everyone. Now i feel depressed. I'm hoping the diagnosis is wrong, well was hoping. from what i understand he has it in both his elbows, the left one is worse, it needs surgery middle of November. we give him green lipped mussel powder mixed with his food. his weight is a big factor with this disease so we are keeping him trim, and no vigorous exercise so it means no more long walks for us. and playing would be limited. these are his dad's orders. aaggh my poor baby, feel like crying. we're going to limit one of the 2 things he loves most: playing with other dogs and food.

i went to great lengths researching for a responsible breeder. i avoided the local breeders because most of their lines here come from eastern Europe. convinced hubby that it's better to spend more on a puppy from a responsible breeder than a lifetime of expensive vet bills. boy was i wrong. i feel wronged. should i inform the breeder now or should i wait for the second opinion before contacting her?

when we went to the dogs' playground earlier this afternoon i can't stop him from running to the other dogs (it's a place just beside our apartment building where the dogs illegally play offleash, it's an unofficial dog playground around the neighborhood. we have to pass it everytime we walk). it kills me to see him wanting to play but unable to catch up. I'm thankful that he doesn't seem to be in pain everyday. found a teaching school in Leipzig and apparently they are one of the best. so i'm going to ask hubby to email them ASAP as my German is pretty bad.

 

[2BullyMama]

Thank you everyone. Now i feel depressed. I'm hoping the diagnosis is wrong, well was hoping. from what i understand he has it in both his elbows, the left one is worse, it needs surgery middle of November. we give him green lipped mussel powder mixed with his food. his weight is a big factor with this disease so we are keeping him trim, and no vigorous exercise so it means no more long walks for us. and playing would be limited. these are his dad's orders. aaggh my poor baby, feel like crying. we're going to limit one of the 2 of the things he loves most: playing with other dogs and food.

i went to great extent to research for a responsible breeder. i avoided the local breeders because most of their lines here come from eastern Europe. convinced hubby that it's better to spend more on a puppy from a responsible breeder than a lifetime of expensive vet bills. boy was i wrong. i feel wronged. should i inform the breeder now or should i wait for the second opinion before contacting her?

when we went to the dogs' playground earlier this afternoon i can't stop him from running to the other dogs (it's a place just beside our apartment building where the dogs illegally play offleash, it's an unofficial dog playground around the neighborhood. we have to pass it everytime we walk). it kills me to see him wanting to play but unable to catch up. I'm thankful that he doesn't seem to be in pain everyday. found a teaching school in Leipzig and apparently they are one of the best. so i'm going to ask hubby to email them ASAP as my German is pretty bad.

So sorry for you and your Bifi!! Please keep us up to date and we will all be praying for him.

I would informa the breeder and let them know you are getting the second opinion.