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Shoulder OCD in dogs
Treatment for shoulder OCD in dogs may vary depending on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause. In mild cases shoulder OCD in dogs can be managed with medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids, to reduce pain and inflammation in the joint. In more severe cases, arthroscopy to remove the part of the damaged cartilage and restore the joint’s function may be recommended. In all cases, the goal of treatment is to relieve the dog’s symptoms and prevent further damage to the joint.
Arthroscopy of shoulder OCD in dogs is often considered the best option for managing this condition. This procedure can provide the most effective and long-lasting relief from the symptoms, such as lameness, pain, and stiffness in the affected joint.
Our surgical team routinely evaluates dogs with shoulder OCD. If arthroscopy is necessary, the all-inclusive package fee for shoulder OCD arthroscopy at SurgiPet covers everything from the initial consultation to post-surgical rechecks and x-rays and offers 30-40% savings are compared to large veterinary hospitals’ charges.
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What our clients say
Stephen and Thelma
Entire team has been awesome! Extremely friendly and helpful, have taken great care of my dog after a very unfortunate accident
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This place is absolutely hands down the best to take your fur babies! First, Shirley is an angel. Her dedication and love for what she does is extraordinary! I cannot thank her enough for the smooth process of taking care of my little Lulu! Second, Dr Wypart is so kind and he listens. He answered all questions and made the process of Lulu’s surgery feel safe. She was in good hands at Surgipet. Thank you all so much for what you do not only for my Lulu but for all animals!
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Surgipet went above and beyond for my pet, not only prior to the surgery, but they were always available post surgery too for any questions. I wouldn’t take my pet anywhere else, can’t recommend them enough!
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Such a great experience for us and our pup Oso. Beautiful office and surgery center, human grade equipment and wonderful doctor and staff. Highly recommend this place. Also they use higher quality implants than anywhere I was able to find for a better price.
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Shoulder OCD Treatment in Dogs – FAQ
Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD)) of the shoulder (also called shoulder dysplasia) is a condition that affects the shoulder joint in dogs. In this condition, the cartilage covering the surfaces of the bones in the shoulder joint fails to develop correctly. Abnormal cartilage growth leads to the formation of small pieces of cartilage that break off and float inside the joint, causing pain and stiffness. Over time, this condition can lead to osteoarthritis and permanent damage to the joint. Therefore, arthroscopy may be necessary for most dogs to repair the joint and restore its function.
Dogs with shoulder dysplasia (OCD) usually begin showing symptoms between 4 and 12 months. Large or giant breed dogs, such as Great Danes, German Shepherds, and Labradors, are more likely to suffer from shoulder OCD.
The exact cause of shoulder OCD in dogs is not fully understood. It is thought to be related to the shoulder joint’s rapid growth and abnormal cartilage development. Several factors can trigger this, including genetics, nutrition, and environmental factors. Some dogs are also predisposed because of a family history of joint problems. In other dogs, shoulder OCD develops because they are fed a high-calorie diet that causes them to grow too quickly, making them vulnerable to this condition. In other cases, environmental factors, such as repetitive strain on the joint or injuries, may also play a role. Ultimately, the disease develops when the cartilage in the joint fails to develop correctly, leading to the formation of small pieces of cartilage that can break off and float inside the joint, causing pain and stiffness.
One of the most common clinical symptoms of OCD in dogs is lameness in the affected front leg. The limping may be mild initially, with the dog showing a slight limp or hesitation when using the affected front leg. As the condition progresses, the limping may become more pronounced, with the dog showing a more pronounced limp or even refusing to use the front leg altogether.
Another common clinical symptom of shoulder OCD in dogs is pain and stiffness in the affected shoulder joint. This can cause the dog to appear uncomfortable or in pain when moving the affected front leg. They may show signs of discomfort, such as whining or crying when touched or handled in the area of the affected joint. In some cases, symptoms of stiffness, such as reluctance to move the affected front limb or holding the front leg in an unusual position, can also be noted.
When shoulder OCD is more advanced, the joint may become red, hot, and swollen due to an accumulation of fluid inside the joint.
Treatment for shoulder OCD in dogs may vary depending on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause. In mild cases, physical therapy, joint supplements and medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids, can be very helpful in reducing the pain and discomfort.
In more severe cases, arthroscopy to remove the damaged cartilage and restore the joint’s function may be the best option for long-term pain relief and mobility. In all cases, the goal of treatment is to relieve the dog’s symptoms and prevent further damage to the joint.
Shoulder OCD (Osteochondritis Dissecans) is a condition where cartilage in the shoulder joint doesn’t develop properly. This causes a piece of cartilage to become loose, which causes pain and limping. Arthroscopy for shoulder OCD is the most effective treatment for majority of dogs. During the procedure, the surgeon removes the loose or damaged cartilage. This helps to relieve pain and allows the shoulder joint to heal properly.
The goal of the arthroscopy is to improve your dog’s mobility and reduce pain. Without this procedure, your dog may continue to suffer from joint pain and could develop arthritis later in life. Arthroscopy for shoulder OCD in dogs is usually very successful and majority of dogs return for full health and mobility within 3-4 months after the procedure.
The best age to perform arthroscopy for shoulder OCD in dogs is usually between 6 and 9 months old, but it depends on when the symptoms start. Younger dogs are often better candidates because their joints are still developing, and treating the issue early can prevent long-term problems.
Arthroscopy for Shoulder OCD in dogs is not an emergency, however the ideal time for surgery is as soon as OCD is diagnosed, especially if your dog shows signs like limping or pain. The sooner the arthroscopy is done, the better the chance of preventing further damage to the joint and ensuring a good recovery.
- Improved mobility
- Pain relief
- High success rate
- Improved long-term outcome
- Better quality of life
The prognosis following arthroscopy for shoulder OCD in dogs is usually very good . Most dogs return to normal activity with improved mobility and less pain. With proper care and rehabilitation, many dogs are able to live fully active life after recovering from shoulder OCD surgery.
If shoulder OCD isn’t treated, it can lead to ongoing pain and worsening arthritis. Over time, your dog’s shoulder joint may become stiff and more painful, which can make it hard for them to walk, run, or play normally.
Recovery after arthroscopy for shoulder OCD in dogs is generally fast. About half of the dogs will start cautiously walking on the operated leg within 48 hours after the surgery. Five days after the surgery, most dogs will put some weight on the operated leg. By 2 weeks, the amount of weight placed on the leg notably increases.
By 2-3 weeks post arthroscopy, many dogs can walk with more confidence, though full recovery and normal walking typically happen after 8-12 weeks.
Physical therapy is also recommended after surgery to help your pet builid muscle strength and return to full mobility.
Cost of Arthroscopy for Shoulder OCD in dogs in Southern California vary based on the type of procedure needed, the type of hospital and location. Pet owners may see estimates in the $8,000-$10,000 range, especially in large emergency hospitals.
At SurgiPet the following items are included in the cost of shoulder OCD arthroscopy:
- In-person consultation with the surgeon
- In-person consultation with the anesthesiologist
- All orthopedic X-rays for the first 4 months post surgery
- Pre-anesthesia bloodwork and chest x-rays (if needed)
- Surgical equipment, including newest Arthrex’s SynergyUHD4™ 4K imaging system for a surperior view during the procedure
- Surgery room expenses
- Anesthesiologist (Doctor) supervision and all anesthesia charges (medications, fluids, equipment)
- Sophisticated multimodal analgesia (pain relief) as directed by the anesthesiologist to assure pain-free experience for your pet
- The cost of surgery, including Surgeon (Doctor) fees
- Post-operative monitoring, medications, and fluids
- Pain medications for the first 2 weeks
- Medications (sedatives, antibiotic, anti-nausea) to help keep your pet calm for the first 2 weeks
- Sling to support your pet during the first week post surgery
- Suture removal
- Sedation for x-rays (if needed)
- All follow-up consultations with the surgeon for the first 4 months post surgery
The all-inclusive package fee for Arthroscopy for shoulder OCD in dogs at SurgiPet (2025) is $5,150.
What’s Not included? In general, the following things are not included in the flat fee for shoulder OCD arthroscopy at SurgiPet:
- Advanced anesthesia medications and equipment required for high-risk anesthesia patients
- Major surgical complications that may arise
- Medications needed to treat the complications
- Medications beyond the first 2 weeks (typically sedatives)
- Rehabilitation sessions
- Care required after 4 months post surgery (since recovery is completed)
Arthroscopy for shoulder OCD in dogs is the most common shoulder joint procedure performed at SurgiPet. The all-inclusive flat fee covers everything from your initial consultation to post-surgical rechecks and x-rays. Here are the steps:
- Consultation and examination. You meet the surgeon in person to discuss your pet’s symptoms, overall health, and lifestyle. The surgeon explains why shoulder OCD surgery is recommended, the surgery itself and post-surgery care. Our goal is to address all your questions to ensure you feel comfortable proceeding.
- Anesthesiologist. Just like in a human hospital, if you have anesthesia-related questions, the anesthesiologist will meet you in person to address your concerns and answer all questions.
- Surgery Day.
- Anesthesia and Pain Control. Your pet is anesthetized and supervised by an anesthesiologist, using human-grade equipment to monitor and deliver the anesthesia. To manage pain, the anesthesiologist uses multimodal analgesia using different types of medicine together to relieve pain in a safe and effective way.
- The surgery is performed in one of our modern operating rooms. State-of-art Arthroscopy equipment with Arthrex’s SynergyUHD4™ 4K imaging is used to provide surgeon with sharper, more detailed images than any other current veterinary system.
- Immediately after the surgery. Your pet is moved to the quiet, dedicated recovery area and is closely monitored by a registered veterinary technician (RVT) until fully awake. The anesthesiologist remains close-by to supervise the recovery.
- Home by the evening. Modern anesthetics at SurgiPet allow fast recovery and allow your pet to come home the same day. Your pet will be so much more comfortable recovering right next to you!
- Discharge. Before you leave the hospital, the team covers the post-surgery care: recovery, expected progress, sling use, medications, and diet. You’ll receive everything needed (sling, medications) with detailed instructions (print and digital). We answer all questions before helping you get your pet into the car.
- Recovery at home. Our team is available to help you 7 days a week. During the first week we call to check on you and your pet to make sure the recovery goes smoothly. We made a short video to show you the most important aspects of taking care of your pet. We stand by for the entire recovery time to answer any questions and ease the stress.
- Follow-ups. There are two scheduled follow-up visits with the surgeon. First, at 2 weeks, to evaluate your pet’s mobility and to remove the sutures. The second recheck is scheduled 4 or 8 weeks after the surgery and may include x-rays. The scheduled rechecks, all additional rechecks, and all the x-rays and sedation (if needed), are covered in the surgery fee for up to 4 months after the surgery.
