LEGG PERTHE'S DISEASE
What you Should Know
by Pam Voit
Legg Perthe's disease, also known as Legg-Calve-Perthe's disease (LCPD), is a disease of the hip joint found in young dogs. The disease results in the deterioration or flattening of the femoral head and neck. The disease is usually noticed between five and eight months of age with a terrible onset of lameness taking place in several weeks, however lameness can come on suddenly in some dogs. The disease occurs primarily in small dogs and has been reported in many of the small and toy breeds. Affected dogs appear normal up until the onset of the disease.
Symptoms of Legg Perthes disease are lameness and pain in the affected hip. In some cases these symptoms may be mild and even go unnoticed and in others the pain can be severe causing great discomfort to the dog. In most cases six to eight weeks may pass before lameness progresses from occasional limping to continuous carrying of the leg. Mild to severe muscle atrophy, the appearance of shortening of the affected leg and restricted joint movement are common physical signs. Severe atrophy of the leg can slow down recovery and even make medical therapy less likely to succeed.
Radiographic examination of the hip joints will confirm the diagnosis. As the bone changes do occur slowly, any xrays taken early in the disease may appear normal. It is best to repeat the xrays in 3-4 weeks to reveal the bone changes. In Christian's case, his first xray showed enormous changes in his right hip and mild changes in his left one. This is why we thought we had about a year before having to operate on his left hip. As it turns out there has been considerable change in the left hip since that xray and another operation is inevitable in the very near future.
A dog affected with LPD suffers a loss of blood supply to the femur ( thigh bone ) during his growing period. Because of this blood loss, the bone dies. The result is a loss of bone tissue causing the neck of the femur to collapse. The neck attaches the head ( ball ) of the femur to the body of the femur. When the neck collapses, the head of the femur is moved and can also become deformed. Since the head or ball sits in the "socket" on the pelvis and makes up the hip joint, the changes to the head result in disruption of the function of the hip joint and causes the pain and lameness.
In most dogs, only one hip is affected, but there have been some cases of both hips being affected. Poor little Christian had both hips affected. It appears that males and females are equally affected. The question of "why" the loss of blood supply happens goes unanswered. What is known, however, is the genetic nature of the disease.
Researchers have long debated the exact mode of inheritance of Legg Perthes but after studies, some suggest it to be a simple autosomal recessive. Other studies have shown that either LPD has a multigenetic mode of inheritance which means more than one gene is involved or that some animals may have the affected genes but not show signs of the disease. Never the less, statistics and other studies do reveal that LPD does have a high degree of heritability.
Treatment of Legg Perthes is surgery to remove the damaged femoral head and neck. After removal, the ligaments which criss cross the hip joint will strengthen and form a false joint. Smaller dogs seem to recover better from this surgery and may even regain almost normal use of the leg. Others may always have some gait abnormality but can still serve as wonderful pets after recovery from surgery. Recovery from this surgery can be very slow with some recovery periods taking up to one year before good use of the affected limb to return. A faster recovery time can be expected if their has been little to no muscle atrophy of the leg before the surgery.
Prevention of the disease is made possible only through genetics. In other words, affected animals should not be bred. All breeding stock should have their hips xrayed before being bred and have their hips certified clear at one year of age. This will eliminate any mildly affected dogs from the breeding program. Mild cases of LPD can go completely unnoticed during the dog's growth period so xrays are a must to prevent the accidental use of an affected dog. It is also advised that any dog that has produced an LPD affected dog or littermates of an LPD affected dog should not be used in a breeding program. If LPD has been detected in your breed use extreme caution when it comes to your breeding program. Study your lines and pedigrees and only use "certified clear" dogs in your program. Be responsible and do your part in eradicating this horrible disease from your breed.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals is a registry that will examine the xrays of your dog's hips and then certify they are normal. You will receive a certificate verifying this and a record will be kept on file with the OFA registry. For further information on the LPD and information about the registry you may contact them at: Orthopedic Foundation for Animals 2300 Nifong Boulevard Columbia, MO 65201 or you may call them at: (314) 442-0418.
Another organization that supplies a similar service is the Institute for Genetic Disease Control. You may contact them at: Institute of Genetic Disease Control PO Box 222 Davis, CA 95617 or you may call (916) 756-6773.
Information for this article was gathered from the following articles....Legg-Perthe's Disease (Teri Dickerson, DVM) Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (Encyclopedia of Canine Veterinary Medical Information) and information obtained from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals article.... Legg-Calve'-Perthes Disease in Dogs (Paul C. Gambardella)
Legg Perthe's and the American Hairless Terrier
Now that we know more about this devastating disease
we need to put this knowledge to good use with our American Hairless Terrier
breeding programs. Each and everyone of our AHT breeders should take on the
responsibility of doing everything we can to rid our lines of LPD. We know
the disease is in our breed with the case of Christian. His was no mild case
and is nothing to be swept under the carpet and forgotten. His was/is
a severe case affecting not just one, but both hips and surgery has been
the only option. As responsible breeders we must all take a very serious
look at this case and do something about it. LPD is not going to go away
by itself....it will take all of our breeders to act responsibly and remove
any affected dogs or littermates of any affected dog from their breeding
program. Christian has been neutered, but it does not stop with him. To stop
the disease from being carried on in the lines...his parents and his siblings
should also be removed from the breeding program and spayed or neutered.
All other breeding dogs should be xrayed before breeding. This is a MUST
if we are to ever get rid of this disease. As a breeder, ask yourself.........Do
you want to be responsible for putting another LPD puppy into an unsuspecting
person's home? I've been through the hearthache and I know I certainly
do not wish to see another family go through watching their puppy suffer
like I have watched Christian. I do not want to see a child suffer with the
heartache of losing their little buddy because their parents cannot afford
the expensive surgery. I challenge all the AHT breeders and fanciers to do
what is right and to get involved and do everything possible to avoid anymore
cases of Legg Perthe's disease in our wonderful breed.
Thanks to all who are helping.............Pam
It has been a while since I wrote this report and it is with great sadness that I must report that there are breeders out there that have and are still using Christian's siblings.......what a shame!
Please please please.....potential buyers.....ask questions about the parents of any puppy you are looking to purchase.
Back To Special Reports