Legg-Calve Perthes disease is a disorder of the hip joint in which there is reduced blood flow to the hind leg's femoral head bone, the bone which fits into your dog's hip socket. The blood flow reduction eventually causes the femoral head to die. Legg-Calve Perthes disease generally occurs in young dogs of smaller breeds of either sex.

This disease is also known as Legg disease, Calve disease, coxa plana, osteochondritis juvenilis or avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

Symptoms include hind leg limping, pain in the hip, chewing at the hip, muscle loss in the impacted leg and progressive lameness.

Legg-Calve Perthes disease may be inherited, or it can be caused by injury or hormonal imbalances.

Legg-Calve Perthes disease can be diagnosed with a physical examination including X-rays.

Surgery followed by physical therapy is needed in most cases. Your vet may also give your dog anti-inflammatory or pain medications.

Since Legg-Calve Perthes disease may be inherited, afflicted dogs should not be bred. Likewise, you should not acquire a dog with a family history of this disease.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is a non-profit organization dedicating to reducing the incidence of genetic and orthopedic diseases. The OFA has a strict protocol for evaluating and rating dogs for Legg-Calve Perthes disease. Before you acquire any dog with a breed history of Legg-Calve Perthes disease, you should ask for both parents' Legg-Calve Perthes certification. Only dogs considered normal on the OFA rating scale can be certified. You should also inquire about the certifications for other member’s of your dog family such as grandparents and siblings. Click here to visit the OFA website and view their database of dog's with normal Legg-Calve Perthes ratings.

No, you cannot contract Legg-Calve Perthes disease your dog.