Home » Diseases » In dogs » Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease (Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head)

Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease (Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head) in Dogs

Occurrence: rarer
Location of illness: Legs

Author: Dr. med. vet. Gisa Löwe | Last modified: 06.11.2025

Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease, also known as avascular necrosisNecrosis is the Death of tissue in a living organism, caused by factors such as injury, infection, or lack of blood supply. Necrotic tissue can cause Inflammatory conditions and further health problems. of the femoral headThe femoral head is the ball-shaped upper part of the femur that fits into the acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint., is an orthopedic condition in dogs caused by an insufficient blood supply to the femoral headThe femoral head is the ball-shaped upper part of the femur that fits into the acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint., leading to the breakdown of bone tissue and eventually deformation of the femoral headThe femoral head is the ball-shaped upper part of the femur that fits into the acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint..

The most important facts at a glance

Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease in dogs is a condition in which the blood supply to the femoral headThe femoral head is the ball-shaped upper part of the femur that fits into the acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint. is disrupted, leading to avascular necrosisNecrosis is the Death of tissue in a living organism, caused by factors such as injury, infection, or lack of blood supply. Necrotic tissue can cause Inflammatory conditions and further health problems.. This disease occurs mainly in young dogs between 4 and 12 months and especially in small breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers and Miniature Poodles. The exact cause is unclear, but genetic factors appear to play a role. TraumaA trauma refers to a physical injury or damage caused by external force. Traumas can range from simple cuts to severe multiple injuries. or mechanical stressStress refers to the state of an organism reacting to external stimuli or demands. In veterinary medicine, stress can have physical or psychological effects on animals, impacting their health and well-being. can also triggerA trigger is a stimulus that elicits a specific reaction or state. In veterinary medicine, this can refer to emotional responses, such as fear or aggression, or medical conditions, such as seizures in dogs and cats. the disease by impairing the blood supply to the hip. Symptoms include Lameness, Pain when moving, Reluctance to move, and muscle wasting. DiagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. is made by clinical examination and X-rays, which show changes in the femoral headThe femoral head is the ball-shaped upper part of the femur that fits into the acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint.. Early diagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. is crucial to slow the progressionProgression refers to the advancement or worsening of a disease over time. It describes an increase in the severity or extent of the disease symptoms. of the disease and improve treatment success. Treatment varies depending on the severity and can range from conservative therapyTherapy refers to the treatment of diseases or disorders with the aim of alleviating symptoms, promoting healing, or improving quality of life. Therapies can be medicinal, surgical, or through other medical interventions. with pain relievers and physiotherapyVeterinary physiotherapy encompasses a range of treatment methods aimed at improving the mobility and well-being of animals through exercise, massage, and other manual techniques. to surgical interventions. A common surgery is femoral headThe femoral head is the ball-shaped upper part of the femur that fits into the acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint. ostectomy, in which the damaged femoral headThe femoral head is the ball-shaped upper part of the femur that fits into the acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint. is removed. After the operation, careful follow-up care is important to support recovery. The prognosisThe prognosis is the prediction of the likely course and outcome of a disease based on the general state of health, the nature of the disease, and the response to treatment. It can provide information on how a disease is expected to develop. is usually good with timely treatment, and many dogs can live a normal life. PreventionPrevention includes measures taken to prevent diseases or injuries. In veterinary medicine, this includes vaccinations, parasite control, and health monitoring. is difficult, but maintaining a healthy weight and choosing healthy parent animals can help reduce the risk.

Causes

The scientific basis of Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease involves the disruption of the blood supply to the femoral headThe femoral head is the ball-shaped upper part of the femur that fits into the acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint., which leads to aseptic necrosisNecrosis is the Death of tissue in a living organism, caused by factors such as injury, infection, or lack of blood supply. Necrotic tissue can cause Inflammatory conditions and further health problems.. This condition occurs most often in young dogs aged 4 to 12 months, especially in small breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers, West Highland White Terriers, and Miniature Poodles. The reduction in blood supply causes the bone tissue in the femoral headThe femoral head is the ball-shaped upper part of the femur that fits into the acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint. to die, leading to weakening and gradual deformation of the bone.

The exact causes of Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease are not fully understood, but genetic factors are believed to play a role. Studies have shown that the disease is more common in some dog breeds, suggesting a hereditary component. In addition, traumaA trauma refers to a physical injury or damage caused by external force. Traumas can range from simple cuts to severe multiple injuries. or mechanical stressStress refers to the state of an organism reacting to external stimuli or demands. In veterinary medicine, stress can have physical or psychological effects on animals, impacting their health and well-being. on the hip could also contribute to the development of the disease by further impairing blood supply.

Another possible factor is the development and growth of the bone. Since this disease often occurs in rapidly growing dogs, an imbalanceImbalance refers to an imbalance or disruption of normal function or composition in the body, which can lead to health problems. in bone growth and blood supply during the development phase could play a role. Environmental factors and nutrition could also influence the occurrence and course of the disease.

Symptoms

Very common symptoms:

Common symptoms:

The symptoms of Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease are often subtle and develop insidiously. One of the first signs is a slight Lameness of the affected leg, which initially occurs only occasionally but becomes more frequent over time. This can be caused by Pain resulting from the necrosisNecrosis is the Death of tissue in a living organism, caused by factors such as injury, infection, or lack of blood supply. Necrotic tissue can cause Inflammatory conditions and further health problems. of the femoral headThe femoral head is the ball-shaped upper part of the femur that fits into the acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint. and the subsequent inflammation.

Affected dogs may also show reduced activity and be less willing to walk or jump. In advanced stages of the disease, the Lameness can become more pronounced, and the dog may have difficulty putting weight on the affected leg. AtrophyAtrophy is the process of tissue, organ, or muscle reduction or wasting, often resulting from disease, disuse, or malnutrition. of the thigh muscles may also be noted during the examination, as the dog spares the affected leg.

In addition, limited mobility of the hip joint may be noticed, and the dog may show Pain when the joint is moved. In some cases, a cracking or clicking sound may also be heard when the hip joint is moved. These symptoms are often an indicationIndication refers to a valid reason or rationale for using a specific treatment, medication, or medical procedure. It is based on the diagnosis and the patient’s clinical condition. that the femoral headThe femoral head is the ball-shaped upper part of the femur that fits into the acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint. is already significantly damaged.

Diagnosis

The diagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. of Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease is usually made through a combination of clinical examination and imaging procedures. The veterinarian begins with a thorough physical examination, assessing the dog’s gait, hip mobility, and any Pain responses.

X-rays are the most important diagnostic tool for confirming the disease. They typically show changes in the femoral headThe femoral head is the ball-shaped upper part of the femur that fits into the acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint., such as bone loss, deformities, and, in advanced cases, complete collapse of the femoral headThe femoral head is the ball-shaped upper part of the femur that fits into the acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint.. In some cases, additional imaging procedures such as MRI may be required to assess the extent of the damage more accurately.

Early diagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. is crucial for the success of the treatment, as the disease is progressiveProgressive describes a condition or disease that worsens over time. This term is often used to characterize the course of an illness that causes increasingly severe symptoms or damage. and the damage to the femoral headThe femoral head is the ball-shaped upper part of the femur that fits into the acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint. increases over time. An accurate diagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. allows the veterinarian to develop the appropriate treatment strategy and determine the best time for a possible surgical intervention.

Therapy

The treatment of Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease depends on the severity of the condition and the age of the affected dog. In mild cases, conservative treatment with pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugsAnti-inflammatory drugs are medications that reduce inflammation. They can be divided into nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids and are used in dogs and cats to reduce Inflammatory conditions and Pain., and physiotherapyVeterinary physiotherapy encompasses a range of treatment methods aimed at improving the mobility and well-being of animals through exercise, massage, and other manual techniques. can be attempted to alleviate the symptoms and improve hip mobility.

However, in many cases, surgery is required to relieve the Pain and improve the function of the hip joint. The most common surgery is femoral headThe femoral head is the ball-shaped upper part of the femur that fits into the acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint. ostectomy, in which the affected femoral headThe femoral head is the ball-shaped upper part of the femur that fits into the acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint. is removed. This prevents the damaged bone surfaces from rubbing against each other and causing Pain. After the operation, a fibrous pseudo-joint forms, which allows the hip to move.

Post-operative care is crucial for the success of the treatment. It usually includes physiotherapyVeterinary physiotherapy encompasses a range of treatment methods aimed at improving the mobility and well-being of animals through exercise, massage, and other manual techniques. and controlled exercise to strengthen the muscles and promote joint mobility. The dog may need to be kept on a leash for a few weeks to avoid excessive stressStress refers to the state of an organism reacting to external stimuli or demands. In veterinary medicine, stress can have physical or psychological effects on animals, impacting their health and well-being. on the hip.

Prognosis and follow-up care

The prognosis for dogs with Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease varies depending on the severity of the condition and the treatment performed. With early diagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. and appropriate treatment, especially with surgical intervention, the prognosisThe prognosis is the prediction of the likely course and outcome of a disease based on the general state of health, the nature of the disease, and the response to treatment. It can provide information on how a disease is expected to develop. is generally good. Many dogs can live a Pain-free life after surgery and resume their normal activity.

In cases where the condition is not treated in time or surgery is not performed, permanent impairment of mobility and chronicChronic refers to a condition or disease that is long-lasting or permanent. Chronic diseases often develop slowly and can lead to persistent or recurring health problems over time. Pain may occur. The dog’s quality of life can be significantly affected, and there is a risk of secondary osteoarthritis developing in the affected joint.

Long-term follow-up care and regular veterinary check-ups are important to monitor the progress of recovery and to detect possible complications early. Even after successful treatment, dog owners should ensure that their animal maintains a healthy weight and that excessive stressStress refers to the state of an organism reacting to external stimuli or demands. In veterinary medicine, stress can have physical or psychological effects on animals, impacting their health and well-being. on the hip is avoided.

Prevention

Since the exact causes of Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease are not fully known and genetic factors play a role, preventing this disease is a challenge. One of the best preventive measures is to pay attention to the health of the parent animals when selecting a puppy and to choose breeders who test for genetic diseases.

It is important for dogs, especially those of breeds that are susceptible to the disease, to maintain a healthy weight in order to minimize the stressStress refers to the state of an organism reacting to external stimuli or demands. In veterinary medicine, stress can have physical or psychological effects on animals, impacting their health and well-being. on the hip joints. A balanced diet and regular, but not excessive, exercise can help maintain joint health.

Although there are no specific measures to completely prevent the disease, early preventive examinations by the veterinarian can help to recognize the first signs of the disease and to counteract them early. An attentive approach to the dog’s musculoskeletal system, combined with good veterinary care, can reduce the risk of complications and the progressionProgression refers to the advancement or worsening of a disease over time. It describes an increase in the severity or extent of the disease symptoms. of the disease.