OCD IN MY CALF!

[Cowgirl94]

We think my calf has OCD and our vets have told us that there is no cure for it and only things that can keep the swelling down and that hoof trimming can help him with his walking... but if he just got this and my fair is July 20th will he be able to walk by then??? And is taking him to jackpot shows a bad idea? or will it have no effect ?

 

[OH Breeder]

I knew there was something on here before.


DL
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Re: OCD in cattle? DL or anyone with info?

« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2011, 08:32:06 PM »

Hey DLD - long time no hear  - OCD (osteochondritis dessicans) is an abnormality of cartilage that occurs in rapidly growing critters - we see it in boys (human type teenage boys), large breed dogs, pigs and yes cattle - I suspect it is more common in cattle than we realize but most people do not x ray swollen joints in cattle. XRay is diagnostic - you see an area eroded at the end of the bone - there can be a flap of cartilage that moves around in the joint or a loose piece of cartilage in the joint - the joint mouse (causes swelling by irritation) - small areas of OCD in dogs are treated by most people conservatively (ie rest, anti inflammatory drugs) but for larger areas the only "cure" is surgery. It isn't related to structural issues per se (ie OCD isn't seen more frequently in straight legged cattle) but likely a combination of rapid growth, genetics and some think diet and sometimes trauma. The xray in dogs is pretty pathognomonic for OCD so I suspect that is also the case for cattle (ie you know it is your aunt tillie because you have seen her before)  - if the lesion is small conservative treatment might help

this web site has a picture of an xray
http://www.provet.co.uk/petfacts/healthtips/osteochondrosis.htm