What You Should Know About Osteochondritis Dissecans in a Dog

Pets are a delight to have in the house, but they are also your huge responsibility. If you own a dog, you know how important it is to keep it safe from harm. Not only that, but you also have to give it food and water, bathe it occasionally, and take it for a walk. Always make sure to buy the best soft dog food for Yorkies.

Another important thing you need to do is take it to the vet. It is recommendable that you take your dog for regular checkups because they might detect an early problem. This way, it will be easier to resolve its issue. Also, if your dog is suffering from a specific health issue, a trip to the vet is a must. They will be able to provide the proper diagnosis and prescribe medicine.

As you can see, it is a huge responsibility, but you love doing it because it is your beloved pet. People that decide to take care of pets have to be aware that sometimes their pets can start to experience a health problem similar to those of people.

Let’s take osteochondritis dissecans, for example. Follow the link for more details. It is an illness common in dogs as well. Here are some things you should know about it:

What exactly is it?

Osteochondritis Dissecans

Osteochondritis dissecans, or more commonly referred to as OCD, is a condition that can develop in the joints. When the bone starts separating from the cartilage due to lack of blood flow, it will start to die. Afterward, minor fragments of the cartilage and the bone start to break loose. This is what causes pain and can prevent you from moving actively.

This is a condition that your dogs can start experiencing as well. It mostly affects the shoulder join in canines, but it can also affect the hip, knee, and elbow. If you notice that your dog isn’t as active as it used to be, you should definitely schedule an appointment with your vet. Read more on this page.

Can you cure it?

Unfortunately, no. This type of condition cannot be cured, but it can be successfully managed. Even if your furry friend is diagnosed with it, it doesn’t mean that it won’t maintain a healthy life. You can’t entirely protect your dog from this condition, but there are a lot of things you can do to make it feel better.

For starters, you can give it balanced diets rich in calcium. Also, make sure that your dog doesn’t overeat because if it gets heavier, it will add more pressure to the joints. Another thing you can do is to prevent it from jumping off high places and being extremely active. This might make matters worse. Even if your furry friend doesn’t have osteochondritis dissecans, it is important to repeat these steps as well.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptom, as mentioned above, is pain. Your dog won’t be able to move or run freely due to the amount of pain it will feel. You might also start to notice that your pup is getting lame. If its joints are swollen, they will feel warm on the touch. Therefore, make sure to check that out as well. If your dog continually relies on only one leg, this is also a sign that something isn’t right.

Your furry friend doesn’t have the ability to tell you whether something is wrong, but it can show you. The minute you notice odd behavior coming from your pet, you should take it to the vet as soon as possible. Only a medical professional will be able to determine what’s wrong with it.

Can CBD oil improve the situation?

According to several medical experts, CBD oil can help with reducing pain and inflammation in the joints. Therefore, you should consider using it for your own pet as well. It is an oil made from plants that have a soothing effect on anyone that uses it.

Just make sure to use the right dosage for your pet. Read the instructions carefully, or talk to your vet about it. Overusing it can cause slight side-effects. That’s why it is recommendable that you start with smaller dosages.