Osteochondrosis dissecans
Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) and chrondrosis dissecans (CD) in horses are diseases of the musculoskeletal system caused by developmental disorders. In this process, small dead bone-cartilage fragments (OCD) or cartilage fragments alone (CD) become detached. In horses, these fragments are then diagnosed by the vet as “chips”, also known as joint mice.
OCD and CD have multifactorial causes. This means that several factors, such as lack of exercise (especially in foals born early in the year), genetics or feeding can lead to the dreaded chips. Up to 30% of foals are affected, primarily in the fetlock and hock joints, less commonly in the knee joint. Sex also has an influence: in yearling filly foals, findings occur more frequently in the fetlock joint, while in colt foals they occur more frequently in the hock joint. OCD can partially “resolve” on its own or can develop later and only become visible in two-year-old foals.
The influence of feeding lies partly in a deficiency of macro- and trace elements such as calcium, copper and zinc (especially in the pregnant mare), but also later on in foal feeding. On the other hand, excessive grain feeding in foals is viewed critically. This is because repeatedly elevated insulin levels in the blood (triggered by starch from grain) could have the side effect of localised circulatory disturbances in the bone, which could ultimately lead to the detachment of the small fragments.
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