Legg-Calve-Perthe Disease In Dogs

Inherited Illnesses, Inherited Musculoskeletal Disorders, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Avascular necrosis of the femoral head, Coxa plana, legg-calve-perthe, Osteochondritis juvenilis - By Staff Writer on Monday, November 1, 2010 - 11:00

Legg-Clave-Perthes Disease is an disease of the hip joint that causes an abnormality or deformity of the ball of the hip joint.  The ability for the body to get blood to the head of the femur bone is disrupted and the blood supply is diminished.  The bone is unable to grow and will die off causing the femoral head to collapse and the cartilage to crack and deform.  This deformation causes arthritisArthritis is an inflammation of the joints that is caused by abnormal stress on a normal joint or normal stress on an abnormal joint. It can be triggered by inherited illnesses, trauma or arise from over use of joints. Arthritis causes swelling of the joints, pain, difficulty moving the joints and even loss of movement over time. , inflammation, pain and lameness in the hip joint.

Different Names
Your vet might call the illness by another name.  Below are a few names that can be used when discussing this illness.

• Clave-Perthes Disease
• Legg-Perthes Disease
• Avascular necrosis of the femoral head
• Coxa plana
• Osteochondritis juvenilis

Causes
This illness is often caused by genetics but can also be caused by injury or abnormal hormone activity.

Symptoms

• Irritability
• lameness
• Stiffness
• atrophy of muscles in leg
• signs of pain
• popping or clicking when moving the joint

Diagnosis
This illness predominantly effects dogs under one year of age, displaying most frequently between 6-8 months.   If your dog is exhibiting any of the above symptoms you should bring them to a veterinarian to be diagnosed.  Your vet will do a physical exam and will take x-rays to determine the health of the hip joint.

Treatment
Depending on the development of the illness cage rest and physical therapy can work in very mild cases.  Severe cases will require surgery.  The surgery used to treat this is called a femoral head and neck excision.

Prognosis
If damage is not too severe or surgery is performed and all physical therapy is followed, a dog can make almost a full recovery.  There may be some residual lameness and limping during heavy exercise but a dog can live a full and happy life.

Breeds Most Common In
Affenpinscher
Yorkshire Terriers
Westies