Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease is a debilitating condition in dogs that leads to loss of function of one or both rear legs. It is also called avascular or aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, and it is a condition of the hip joint.
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The ball part of the joint is formed by the head and neck of the femur, which is the large thigh bone. The socket is part of the pelvis.
In Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, an interruption of the blood supply to the head and neck of the femur causes the bone there to die. Eventually, the blood supply returns to normal, and the bone remodels itself. However, while it is in the diseased state and the animal bears weight on it, the head of the femur becomes flattened. Therefore, when the bone remodels to that new shape, the joint becomes deformed. Severe arthritis then develops quickly. The hip is extremely painful for the dog during the initial low blood supply phase and chronically sore after the remodeling phase.
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease in dogs is caused by an interruption in the blood supply to the head and neck of the femur. The exact mechanism for this disturbance is not understood. Most cases have a genetic basis, but Legg-Calve-Perthes disease can also be caused by trauma to the hip.
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is diagnosed through a veterinarian's examination and hip x-rays. The x-rays can also help determine how advanced the disease process is.
Surgery is required in virtually all cases of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Once the bone remodels in the wrong shape, the dog will forever experience arthritis and pain. The surgical procedure that is used for Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is a femoral head and neck ostectomy or osteotomy (FHO). This means that the head and neck of the femur is surgically removed.
Many people are very concerned about what this surgery means for their dog's future. How cana dog walk without a proper ball and socket hip joint? Surprisingly, this procedure producesexcellent results in most dogs. The muscle groups involved in the hip joint do not attach to thehead or neck of the femur, so they aren't disturbed by its removal. Also, these muscle groupsare very large and strong, so they are able to stabilize the area themselves. Lastly, because thisis mostly a problem in toy breed dogs, the hip does not bear a large amount of weight.
Cage rest is an alternative to surgery that may be used in a small number of dogs affected by Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. The only time this treatment is a possibility is when, as viewed on an X-ray, the hip joint still has its proper shape, and the cartilage is still smooth.
The dog is placed on strict immobility cage rest. He is carried outside only to urinate and defecate. The rest of the time, he must lie down. Eventually, the blood supply to the head and neck of the femur resumes normal flow, and an X-ray will show that the damage to the bone has been reversed. Because no harm occurred to the cartilage or the shape of the hip joint, the dogs is able to resume normal activities at this point, without pain.
The downfall of cage rest for treating Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is that the dog must be confined to a cage for, usually, four to six months. This disease affects puppies, and it can be difficult and heart-breaking to prevent them from running and playing for such a long period of time.
Medications may help control the pain associated with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease before and just after surgery. This does not resolve the condition, but it does help the dog to be more comfortable.
Do not give your pet any medications for pain without checking with your veterinarian first. Human medications are often not metabolized the same way in dogs as they are in people and can have devastating effects.
Because the majority of cases of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease have a genetic basis, there is no way to prevent its occurrence in individual dogs. Over time, the prevalence of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease could be decreased in the general dog population through responsible breeding practices. Dogs that have suffered from Legg-Calve-Perthes disease should not be used for breeding, as that will perpetuate the disorder.
The prognosis for Legg-Calve-Perthes disease in dogs that have surgery before arthritis sets in is excellent. "With the proper surgical technique, virtually 100 percent of these animals will become ambulatory and free of pain." (Brinker, 1990)
Works Cited
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