Re: [pyrnet] New member of list has a health question...

["Judith Stroh Miller" <jsmiller@newmex.com>]

On 15 Nov 2001, at 23:13, Mary Delmage wrote:

> My lovely 7 month old Pyrenees pup called Bear has just been diagnosed
> with OCD -  Osteo Chondrosis Dissecans, a condition where the
> cartilage in his shoulder is shrivelling up.  My vet tells me he may
> need an expensive operation.  She says there is also a cheaper
> alternative treatment  consisting of Adequan injections, but this may
> be less effective.

Here is an interesting link regarding Veterinary Arthroscopy:

http://www.marin-humane.org/chron/doc.html

Adequan is in the glucosamine family and may help also.  
Complete rest is mandatory, if Bear has not actually pulled a piece 
of joint cartilage loose, he may have a chance for full recovery.  An 
Arthroscope is the only sure diagnostic tool.  A plain x-ray might 
be diagnostic, but since cartilage is not as dense as bone, it more 
than likely would be missed, especially if the x-ray quality is 
minimal.


Judith
jsmiller@newmex.com
Taos, New Mexico
http://members.aol.com/greatpyrenees/judys/judy.htm