Legg-Perthes disease is a disorder of small breeds of dogs,
especially Yorkshire Terriers and West Highland White
Terriers. With this condition, the puppy will grow normally
until about three months of age. At this time, the ball
(femoral head) of the hip joint begins to degenerate. It is
believed that the blood supply to the femoral head decreases
causing the bone to deteriorate and actually die. Similar
conditions occur in humans. The end result is a malformed
hip joint and secondary arthritis.
What are the symptoms?
Even though the hip joint deterioration begins around
three months of age, it is not until the puppy is six to ten
months of age that it becomes lame. One or both hip joints
may be involved. The dog will limp on the affected side(s).
What are the risks?
The hip joint will never be normal and some lameness will
always be present. Arthritis will be the result in the
affected joint.
What is the management?
Surgery to remove the diseased bone, i.e., the femoral
head, is successful. The hip joint will not return to normal
function, however, the destructive arthritic process will be
greatly slowed. The secondary arthritis should be managed
similarly to other forms of arthritis.
© 2006 Foster & Smith, Inc.
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