K9 Carts Glossary
Laminectomy
refers to a surgical procedure in which a portion of the bone of the spinal vertebrae is removed to allow access to the spinal cord. This technique is used to decompress the cord after a disc prolapse.Lumbosacral Disease
is also called "Cauda Equina." It is a compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord as they pass out the lower back or lumbar and sacral vertebrae.Myelogram
is an X-ray based procedure where an X-ray-visible dye is injected into the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord. This procedure is useful to identify the location of a lesion in the spinal cord, such as IVDD or spinal tumors.Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
was founded in 1966. The OFA maintains registries of inherited diseases including: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, and shoulder OCD. By objectively evaluating dogs for inherited orthopedic diseases, the hope is to breed animals with a lower incidence of these diseases.Osteoarthritis (OA)
is characterized by the loss of cartilage at the end of the bones in a joint. Cartilage along with joint fluid provides the lubricant for bones to move freely. As the cartilage is worn away, the bones make contact, which is painful. Animals with OA may also appear stiff in the morning or after laying down for a period of time. We seldom do joint replacement for OA in our pets. Most owners treat the pain of OA with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) specially designed for our pets. Another name for OA is degenerative joint disease (DJD).Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD)
is a disease of the cartilage of the joints primarily in maturing large and giant breed dogs. Failure of proper bone formation from cartilage leads to cartilage thickening and can lead to fissures in the cartilage, cartilage flaps and/or a free flap or "joint mouse." Typical symptoms are pain and lameness. OCD is most common in the shoulder. Male dogs are more frequently affected than female dogs. Diagnosis is by a physical examination by your veterinarian and X-rays. Surgical treatment to remove the flap or joint mice is most frequently recommended.