Mary Allen
#7 Legg-Perthes Disease
This is another disease that affects the hip joint. Many toy breeds are prone to this condition. When your poodle has Legg-Perthes, the blood supply to the head of the femur (the large rear leg bone) is restricted and the head of the femur, which connects to the pelvis, begins to break down.
Usually, the first signs, limping and atrophy of the leg muscles, appear between 4 and 6 months of age. The disease can be corrected surgically, in which the diseased femur is trimmed so that it no longer lies against the pelvis. The resulting scar tissue creates a false joint and the puppy is usually pain-free.
#8 Patella Luxation
The patella is the kneecap. Dislocation describes the displacement of an anatomical part (like a bone at a joint). Patellar dislocation occurs when the knee joint (often in the hind legs) keeps moving out of place, causing pain. This can be crippling, but many dogs lead relatively normal lives with the disease.
#9 Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
PRA belongs to a family of eye diseases in which the retina gradually deteriorates. Dogs in the early stages of the disease become night-blind. As the disease progresses, they also lose their ability to see during the day. Many affected dogs adjust very well to their reduced vision as long as their surroundings remain the same.