Mary Allen
This is a non-inflammatory disease of the hip joints in very young dogs that is not caused by pathogens.
What Is That?
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (Latin: Morbus) describes a non-inflammatory disease of the hip joints in very young dogs that are not caused by pathogens.
There is a disrupted blood supply in the femoral head and thus disrupted or interrupted development.
Can My Dog Get This Too?
Mostly they are representatives of small dog breeds (< 10 kg body weight) at the age of 3 to 13 months. Both males and females can be affected, and about one in five dogs on both sides.
The condition occurs before the femoral growth plates have closed. The causes of this are not exactly clear, although hormonal influences, misaligned limbs, and hereditary factors can play an important role alongside other factors.
Dogs that have been diagnosed with this disease should definitely be neutered for precisely the reasons mentioned above.
When Should I Think About This Disease In My Dog?
Because osteoarthritis occurs in the joint, LCP disease causes pain and lameness in most cases.
If the dog uses a limb poorly at first, then it may only tap or not at all, or even deteriorate over a period of time. Often there are very unspecific clues that the dog provides, such as reduced appetite or gnawing or licking the skin in the area of the affected hip.
What Do I Do If My Dog Is Lame Or In Pain?
If the dog is in pain, it is best to see the veterinarian to diagnose the condition and stop it from progressing, or to find another cause of the lameness.
An accurate clinical/orthopedic or X-ray examination of the limbs can confirm the suspicion.
Does This Have To Be Operated On And Will My Dog Be Able To Walk Again?
Most dogs require surgery to improve lameness and freedom from pain. Only in rare cases, however, is the disease not so acute that pain relief can be achieved with the help of painkillers, a leash, or activities that are easy on the joints.
The femoral head and neck resection, i.e. the removal of the diseased bone area, is the treatment of choice. After this procedure, the prognosis is good, although slight lameness can occur again and again with great exertion or long periods of inactivity. However, since these are usually small dogs, the function of the limbs is usually undisturbed and the dog can continue to live a dog life free of symptoms.