Hello, fellow lovers of all things small and furry! Today, we're going to talk about a condition with a very long name that affects some of our favorite toy breeds: Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease. It's a bit of a mouthful, but don't worry, we'll break it down. This is a hip problem that's different from hip dysplasia and is seen almost exclusively in small and toy breed dogs.
What is Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease?
Let's get to the bottom of this big name. Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease (or LCPD for short) is a condition where the head of the femur (the "ball" part of the hip's ball-and-socket joint) spontaneously starts to degenerate.
For reasons that aren't fully understood, the blood supply to the femoral head gets cut off. Without blood, the bone tissue dies, becomes brittle, and can collapse. This leads to pain, severe lameness, and arthritis in the hip joint.
It almost always occurs in young dogs, typically between 4 and 12 months of age, and it's a big problem for small breeds like West Highland White Terriers, Cairn Terriers, Poodles, and other toy breeds.
Spotting the Signs of LCPD
The signs of LCPD usually start gradually and get worse over a period of several weeks.
- •Limping: This is the number one sign. It will start as a mild limp and progress to the point where the dog may not want to put any weight on the leg at all.
- •Pain: The hip will be very painful. Your dog might cry out when you pick them up or touch the area.
- •Irritability: Pain can make even the sweetest dog a bit grumpy.
- •Muscle Atrophy: As the dog stops using the leg, the muscles in that thigh will start to shrink. You might notice that one leg looks much thinner than the other.
- •Licking or Chewing: They may lick or chew at the skin over their painful hip.
What Causes LCPD?
This is the million-dollar question, and we don't have a complete answer yet.
- •Genetics: We know for sure that it's an inherited disease in certain breeds.
- •Blood Supply: The core of the problem is the loss of blood supply to the femoral head, but why that happens is still a bit of a mystery. It's not caused by an injury.
How Vets Diagnose LCPD
Your vet will suspect LCPD based on your dog's breed, age, and the signs they are showing. During the physical exam, they will find that moving the hip joint is very painful for your dog.
The diagnosis is confirmed with an X-ray of the hips. On the X-ray, the femoral head on the affected side will look flattened, deformed, or even have a "moth-eaten" appearance. This looks very different from the changes seen with hip dysplasia.
Treatment: Surgery is the Solution
For Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease, surgery is the treatment of choice to relieve the pain and get your dog walking again. The recommended surgery is called a Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO).
Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO)
In an FHO, the surgeon removes the entire femoral head (the "ball" part of the joint). That's right, they take it right out!
You might be thinking, "How can my dog walk without a hip joint?!" It's a great question! After the femoral head is removed, the body creates a "false joint" out of scar tissue. This false joint doesn't have bone-on-bone contact, so it's not painful.
The FHO procedure has a very high success rate for this condition, especially in small dogs who don't put a lot of weight on their joints.
The Road to Recovery
Recovery after an FHO is all about getting your dog to use the leg. Unlike many other orthopedic surgeries that require strict rest, after an FHO, early and active use of the leg is encouraged to build a strong false joint.
- •Physical Therapy: This is a critical part of recovery! It will include range-of-motion exercises, massage, and controlled walks. Swimming is also a fantastic therapy.
- •Pain Management: Your dog will be sent home with pain medication to keep them comfortable as they start to use the leg again.
With a successful FHO and good physical therapy, most dogs recover completely and can run and play without pain.
LCPD can be a very painful condition for a young pup, but the great news is that it can be fixed! With a straightforward surgery and your dedication to their rehab, your tiny companion can have a long and happy life ahead of them.
Sources & Further Reading:
- •American College of Veterinary Surgeons - Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
- 1VCA Animal Hospitals - Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease in Dogs