Many toy breed dogs live the good life – they get to wear cute
sweaters, ride in their owner’s purses and get fawned on by
everyone they meet. But they are not without their problems,
too. One condition, called Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, occurs
more frequently in small and toy breed dogs than in their larger
cousins. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease – also known as aseptic
necrosis of the femoral head – causes lameness in dogs’ hip
joints due to spontaneous degeneration of the femoral head and
neck (otherwise known as the “ball” of the “ball and socket” hip
joint). A lack of blood supply to the bones leads to the
collapse of the hip joint and eventually to degenerative joint
disease (arthritis). The exact cause of the dwindling blood
supply is not generally known. Toy breeds are more prone to
developing Legg-Calve-Perthes, but so are small dogs and terrier
breeds weighing less than 20 lbs. Clinical signs can start
showing up anytime between three months and 13 months of age,
but most commonly the diagnosis is made