My baby has Legg Perthes Disease

[shiree1]

I found out my 10 month old yorkie Brodi has this disease. He had been limping on and off for 1 1/2 months I took him to vet after 3 weeks of noticing him limping at times they said where he is so active he has probably just sprained his leg and was given Rimadyl needless to say they didn't do anything and I decided to go to vet again they x-rayed and tole me its Legg Perthes. I had never heard of this disease. I've been google searching plus phoning vets as I was told to keep him on Rimadyl until he is in a lot of pain. my problem is some say do op sooner rather than later as he will have more of a chance of using leg properly when he has recovered and some say leave it so I am not sure what to do! another thing is I don't know what to expect after op how long it will take him to recover etc. The thought of my baby boy going through this painful op is killing me I don't want him to be in pain and to try restrict him is going to be hard he is so active. Has anyone gone through this with their beloved pet and if so what was recovery like etc I'm so nervous and scared.

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by shiree1

I found out my 10 month old yorkie Brodi has this disease. He had been limping on and off for 1 1/2 months I took him to vet after 3 weeks of noticing him limping at times they said where he is so active he has probably just sprained his leg and was given Rimadyl needless to say they didn't do anything and I decided to go to vet again they x-rayed and tole me its Legg Perthes. I had never heard of this disease. I've been google searching plus phoning vets as I was told to keep him on Rimadyl until he is in a lot of pain. my problem is some say do op sooner rather than later as he will have more of a chance of using leg properly when he has recovered and some say leave it so I am not sure what to do! another thing is I don't know what to expect after op how long it will take him to recover etc. The thought of my baby boy going through this painful op is killing me I don't want him to be in pain and to try restrict him is going to be hard he is so active. Has anyone gone through this with their beloved pet and if so what was recovery like etc I'm so nervous and scared.

Yes my 10 month old (at the time) had to have this done on both sides. Fragile humans and puppies can safely undergo surgery. My 94 year old 100lb grandfather had quadruple bypass, just as an example. The sickest and most vulnerable people and animals can undergo, and do undergo surgery every single day, in the hands of the right dr/vet the surgery, like my Mini's will enable your pup to have a better life.


After surgery you will have to restrict your pups activities, the good thing is that because pups, like people, are guided by pain the restrictions we'll more times than not be made upon themselves. The only thing you need to do is make sure that stairs etc., are blocked off because they don't always know their limitations..


Make sure your pup is seen and operated on by a registered Orthopaedic specialist and everything will be fine!

[joyce evans]

Hello! I am so sorry to hear that your baby has LCPD. My pup had surgery at 11 mos. old and yes it was super scary and the recovery was long but she is using her leg very well now. She has a little kick out to the side but that's it. I restrict jumping but for other reasons as well. Your best choice is an Ortho Surgeon. I allowed my reg. vet to do the surgery on mine for many different reasons but I second guessed myself for quite a while. She has LCPD in her right leg but is not showing any signs at all. I did take her to a specialist a few months ago just to see how she was progressing and the specialist told me that some dogs take longer to heal but she was pretty much on schedule and doing very well. I will use an Ortho Specialist for the right leg when the time comes. The first few weeks after surgery is the worst but your pup will be out of pain and not have to be on long term pain meds. Best of luck to you and your pup.

[Cherie6446]

My Zoey had this surgery. I interviewed three surgeons. My orthopedic surgeon kept her at his home for five days after the surgery. He does nothing but surgerys at different vet hospitals. Keeps his costs down. The recovery time was long because of daily rehab exercises which were included in his price. She is doing great now and I hope I never have to do another surgery of the type. Good luck with your little one. Get more than one consultation even though they cost $100 per - it's worth it to feel confident in your vet.

[shiree1]

Thank u for the replies. My vet that diagnosed him with it said that he doesn't need surgery now I must wait until he is in more pain like crying not wanting to jump etc however when I phoned another vet they said different they said keep him on his anti inflammatory and if after 2 weeks there is no improvement get the op done so now I don't know what to do.
Im going to try find an ortho today.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by shiree1

Thank u for the replies. My vet that diagnosed him with it said that he doesn't need surgery now I must wait until he is in more pain like crying not wanting to jump etc however when I phoned another vet they said different they said keep him on his anti inflammatory and if after 2 weeks there is no improvement get the op done so now I don't know what to do.
Im going to try find an ortho today.

You shouldn't have to wait until the dog is crying out in pain. Let us know what your orthopedic specialist says.

[joyce evans]

Originally Posted by pstinard

You shouldn't have to wait until the dog is crying out in pain. Let us know what your orthopedic specialist says.

Right!

[ladyjane]

This is a very painful condition....the fact that he is limping says it is hurting him. Please do not put this off!

I have had a few pups go through this surgery and the recovery was amazingly fast! The first time I thought it sounded barbaric and I was very upset about it but I spoke with other people who had pups who had the surgery and they did well, so I went ahead. I was totally amazed...it is not nearly as bad as it sounds! I have never had any issues...most were walking and running the next day. Of course they do carry it some, but they also tend to use it quickly. I only allow orthopedic specialists to do any type of orthopedic surgery on my pups. I know other vets do the surgery, but that is just not for me. I once met a lady who went to a regular vet for this surgery and the sciatic nerve was severed. She was at the specialist for an opinion and was very upset. Scared me.

So....all I can do is strongly encourage what I believe in. Good luck!

[Maximo]

I agree with Ladyjane.

P-Nut's Mom has two boys who have gone through the surgery and they are doing really well today.

Best wishes.

[P-Nut Mom]

I wouldn't let it go too long - my vet consulted with several specialists about P-Nut's bilateral LCP and they all emphasized that the condition is very painful. We've had a total of 3 femoral head ostectomy surgeries between my two pups and as Maximo said, they're doing great. I wouldn't say the recovery was fast all 3 times, but it was steady - and both boys are happy and healthy now. In fact, they frequently zoom around like little nuts! Wishing you and your pup all the best!