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Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease is a disease of the hip joints which is found mostly in miniature and toy breeds of dogs. It occurs when the bone that makes up the ball portion of the hip is damaged from lack of blood supply. Symptoms usually develop between 4 and 12 months of age. The disease causes bone destruction in the hip joint, resulting in a roughened, irregular joint surface. Moving the rear legs causes pain, and the leg muscles weaken and shrink from insufficient use. Occasionally the limbs actually shorten. One or both rear legs may be affected. If only one leg is involved, the dog usually refuses to bear any weight on that limb. Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease is thought to be from the early effects of hormones on the developing hips or in some cases injury to the developing hips may cause the condition. There is also a genetic factor. If the condition is not treated, the dog may develop severe arthritis in later life. Clinical signs are lameness and pain when moving the affected leg. |
