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Breed Predisposition to Developing Osteochondrosis of the Shoulder
Osteochondrosis (OCD) occurs commonly in the shoulders of immature, large and giant-breed dogs. The lesion appears on the caudal surface of the humeral head (Figure 1). Although your dog may be lame in only one leg, this condition is often present in the opposite leg. This condition results in a cartilage flap found on the humeral head. In some cases, the resulting defect occupies half of the area of the humeral head. The cartilage flap may completely detach from the underlying bone and become lodged in the back of the joint pouch. The cause of OCD is considered to be multifactorial with input from management, genetic and nutritional interactions in young growing dogs. Clinical signs often develop when the dog is between 4 and 8 months of age. Dogs usually show a lameness of one forelimb. In many cases, there is an insidious gradual onset of lameness that improves after rest and worsens after exercise. As the condition progresses, the dogs become consistently lame on the affected leg.
Limiting the activity of the dog and treating with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) may help some dogs with OCD of the shoulder. A trial period of exercise restriction (brief leash walks only) for a minimum of 6 weeks can be attempted. If lameness resolves, surgery may not be indicated; however, if lameness persists more than 6 weeks, surgical removal of the flap is indicated.
Surgical treatment involves exploratory arthrotomy and removal of the cartilage flap.
The advantages of knowing which breeds of dogs are at increased risk for osteochondrosis of the Shoulder are evident. It can heighten awareness among breed club members, helping them make decisions about how to spend their foundation dollars, and it can lead to more emphasis being placed on methods to diagnose and genetically screen for the disease in that breed before animals are bred and genes are recycled to the gene pool.
Breeds at Risk for Osteochondrosis of the Shoulder
| Risk Factor |
Breed |
No. of Cases |
Controls |
Odds Ratio* |
95% Confidence Interval |
|
| Osteochondrosis of the Shoulder |
|
Total |
1,242 |
6,210 |
|
|
|
Bernese mountain dog |
17 |
6 |
47.1 |
26.4–84.0 |
|
Border collie |
27 |
30 |
15.0 |
9.6–23.3 |
|
Bouvier des Flandres |
8 |
11 |
12.1 |
5.8–25.4 |
|
Boxer |
9 |
67 |
2.2 |
1.1–4.5 |
|
Bullmastiff |
6 |
15 |
6.7 |
2.9–15.5 |
|
Chesapeake Bay retriever |
6 |
13 |
7.7 |
3.3–17.8 |
|
Dalmatian |
10 |
53 |
3.1 |
1.6–6.2 |
|
English setter |
25 |
41 |
10.1 |
6.5–15.9 |
|
German shepherd dog |
35 |
284 |
2.1 |
1.4–3.1 |
|
German shorthaired pointer |
12 |
36 |
5.5 |
3.0–10.3 |
|
German wirehaired pointer |
7 |
3 |
38.8 |
16.7–90.3 |
|
Golden retriever |
261 |
344 |
12.6 |
10.0–15.9 |
|
Great Dane |
77 |
39 |
32.8 |
23.8–45.3 |
|
Great Pyrenees |
18 |
7 |
42.7 |
24.4–74.8 |
|
Irish wolfhound |
17 |
6 |
47.1 |
26.4–84.0 |
|
Kuvasz |
7 |
4 |
29.1 |
12.8–66.3 |
|
Labrador retriever |
308 |
392 |
13.1 |
10.4–16.4 |
|
Mastiff |
10 |
14 |
11.9 |
6.1–23.2 |
|
Munsterlander |
5 |
1 |
83.1 |
28.2–245.0 |
|
Newfoundland |
27 |
24 |
18.7 |
12.0–29.2 |
|
Old English sheepdog |
15 |
35 |
7.1 |
4.1–12.4 |
|
Rottweiler |
133 |
97 |
22.8 |
17.4–29.9 |
|
Saint Bernard |
11 |
15 |
12.2 |
6.4–23.2 |
|
Standard poodle |
9 |
57 |
2.6 |
1.3–5.3 |
|
Mixed-breed dog |
90 |
1,496 |
1.0 |
|
| † Because only statistically significant ORs are included in the
Table, the sum of cases for each disease is not necessarily equal to the
total. |
|
Adapted from:
1. Breed Susceptibility for Developmental Orthopedic Diseases in Dogs
Elizabeth LaFond, DVM, Diplomate ACVS, Gert J. Breur, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVS and Connie C. Austin, MPH, PhD
2. Osteochondrosis of the Shoulder, Ann Johnson, DVM, MS Diplomate ACVS, The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS)
Go Pets America recommends seeking the advice of your local veterinarian for the most appropriate vaccination program and for the diagnosis and treatment of your pet's health problems. For vaccination requirements please contact your state and local licensing authorities.
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