This was initially suspected by Simon Hayes at Village Vets and then confirmed by Davis White referral practice in Hertfordshire. Alfie underwent keyhole surgery. Here he is recovering in the back garden.

He had to be kept on the lead for six weeks even at home. He was a model patient. Then he had several weeks of hydrotherapy at the Royal Veterinary College. (Pictures to follow) That was not a problem being a big water baby he loved it.

 Some breeders claim that OCD can right itself or that it is in fact "growing pains". If you are engaged in a similar debate about your dog with your breeder my advice is to go with the views held by the people that have actually seen the x-rays. There is a distinction between the presentation of OCD and panosteitis which all good vets can easily make.

Whilst environment such as exercise and diet can contribute to these conditions there is no doubt that genetics does too.