Dogs are canines that are perceived as intelligent and trainable among all other animals. We see dogs everywhere, in the movies, in cartoons, in the television (remember Lassie?), and even in high-security areas like malls. In the latter case, dogs are trained to sniff bombs, drugs and other illegal substances in the surroundings.

Some dogs are less likely to cause allergies because they've less dander. There is a misconception that it is the fur that causes the allergies so the heavier the dog sheds the more likely you are to suffer. This isn't the case. It is all about the dander. That's what actually causes the dog allergy.

Most common of these dog allergies is inhalant allergy. The most common symptoms are scratching of the genital areas, abdomen, armpit or face, and prolonged chewing and licking. Upon close inspection, the dog develops a reddish area caused by too much licking.

Bacteria can be another cause of dog allergy. Bacteria allergy (specifically Staphylococcus allergy) isn't a very common condition. Only a few canines react negatively to this bacteria; most other dogs have become accustomed to it.

The biggest mistake made is to blame the fur when actually the allergy is caused by the protein that is secreted by the oil glands and then shed with their dander which is microscopic particles of skin, hair, and fur. Since animals continuously shed this dander is always present and a person can develop a dog allergy when the immune system mistakes this allergen as the enemy.

The sooner one acts, and starts treating their dog’s allergies the easier and less stressful it will be in the long run. Properly treating the symptoms of your dog’s allergies will certainly bring relief to your dog, but dealing with the cause of your dog’s allergy should greatly reduce distress in your dog.

The first step would be to take your dog back to a basic, bland diet and gradually add to their diet. This is the ideal way to monitor your dogs diet and pin-point the dog food ingredient that is causing the dog food allergy symptoms in your dog. While it isn't healthy to have your dog on a bland diet for an extended length of time, it is fine to begin with the bland diet and gradually add ingredients back into the food.

To remove allergens from your dog’s coat, wash him with plain water or wipe her down with a damp cloth everyday. Even if there’s little dander just yet, if it mixes up with pollen or house dust, you’re still liable to experience symptoms of dog allergy.

Another step to help alleviate is to keep the home and dog areas extremely clean. A vacuum with allergy filtration will help immensely and keeping dust and dog hair cleaned up will be very beneficial. It is a good idea to keep the dog out of the bedroom areas but if they are in frequently in these rooms the bedding should be washed with increased frequency.

Golden Retrievers have a reputation for being family dogs since they're loyal, patient, and lovable. However, new pet owners must also be aware of their health concerns as well. Golden retrievers are apt to hip dysplasia, congenital eye defects, Von Willebrand’s disease, heart problems, and skin allergies. Some of these health problems may appear severer while some may not.

Dogs are canines that are perceived as intelligent and trainable among all other animals. We see dogs everywhere, in the movies, in cartoons, in the television (remember Lassie?), and even in high-security areas like malls. In the latter case, dogs are trained to sniff bombs, drugs and other illegal substances in the surroundings.

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What we want to look at are dog food products that contain natural ingredients and no preservatives or additives. Natural dog foods should contain human grade all natural chicken, organic brown rice, organic carrots, probiotics and other high nutrient products. In dog food comparisons we can readily see the advantages of natural balance dog foods. The carbohydrate and organic proteins are easier to digest, and probiotics are more easier absorbed by the body.

Many scientific studies have shown that a meat based diet is best for your dog. Many major commercial brand dog foods contain miscellaneous meat products blended together with gluten and corn meal. Organic products contain primarily quality meat products.

When we look at dog food comparisons, we find that a dogs fur is healthier and thicker when eating a natural food diet. The dog also looses less fur through shedding. Along with that, your dog will have fewer digestive problems and firmer stools. The kinds of meat-based proteins you should look for in your dogs food is chicken, turkey, and white rice or brown rice.

Some dog food brands claim to be organic but contain only partially organic products. They may include some brown rice but also include the typical commercially produced “mystery meat” combination. Of the serveral organic products available, dog food comparisons show that the Newmans Own brand is high in nutrients and organics. Over 70% of all ingredients in Newmans Own foods are organic and include human grade all natural chicken and high levels of antioxidants. The “Newmans Own” brand carries an average price which is extremely reasonable and the quality of the products is high.

Natures Logic is the first commercially prepared 100% natural pet foods that doesn’t contain chemically synthesized nutrients.

Northwest Naturals makes a raw dog food meal that's rich in protein, vitamins and minerals and are grain-free. They add ground bone as a calcium source. To add flavor to the European style pet food, you can add meat and raw or steamed veges. You can add ingredients to your dogs food to make it a tastier choice. Organically produced vegetables and meats make healthy choices. The ideal choice is sometimes to make your own dog food. There are many guides available on how to make a healthy and nutritious meal.

There are a lot of choices available when it comes to dog food, the healthiest meals for your dog can be found by reviewing many different dog food comparisons. The higher the percentage of meat protein, the more your dog will enjoy it, and the better the health benefits.

The health and long life of your friend is always the first consideration when choosing a dog food. And you don’t have to make a choice between health and taste. Make sure your friend is with you for a long time, and make healthy choices.

It is extremely important for a dog owner to be informed of the dangers of the parasitic heartworm. As their name suggests, Heartworms exist inside a dogs heart where they can do a lot of
damage. Responsible dog owners have got to be alert to the danger of heart worm infestations and take
proper defensive actions. If you believe your dog has become infected you need to seek immediate medical treatment from your veterinarian.

Heartworms or “Dirofilaria Immitis” in Latin, by and large live in the right ventricle of the heart where they're able to float freely in the region of the hearts blood vessels. The Heartworm parasite is passed along by mosquitoes through their saliva. The saliva can transmit the parasite to your
dog with a single bite. So even if your dog does not come into contact with other dogs it is at risk. It is a little known fact that cats are also susceptible to the parasite.

There are generally four stages to an infestation by Heartworms. Your vet would be able to prescribe existing treatments based on what phase infestation your dog has.

In the first or early stage infection your dog is unlikely to demonstrate any symptoms. Even with a blood examination it isn't likely that the parasite will show its ugly head. It is a great deal easier and superior for you
and your dog to prevent the heartworm infestation in first place. If you're able to keep your dog clean it will be much easier on you and him or her, as when they get to 6 to 7 months in age, treatments can have an undesirable result.

In the second phase of infestation the heartworms will begin to mature and manage their way to the heart muscle. At this point the worm infestation will commence to be able to be picked up on x-ray. At this stage the worms will begin to do their dirty work and you might observe your dog will become short of breath or begin to develop a wheeze. This is due to damage being done to the blood vessels in the region of your dogs heart and lungs. The larger the quantity of worms the quicker the damage will mount. It is unlikely that your dog will only be infected with one worm. The worms tend to multiply rather rapidly.

In the third stage of infestation you might notice your dog start to quickly lose weight. Again, the heavier the infestation the more rapidly blood flow will be choked off. Testing at this time could reveal kidney and liver damage. You may possibly witness fainting spells in your dog at this point. Other|Additional|Further} symptoms would be shortness of breath, sluggish behavior and in severe cases a possible heart attack.

As if a stage three infestation is not awful enough the fourth stage is not where you want this kind of infestation to evolve to. In the fourth and most severe stage your dog may encounter what is identified as Vena Cava Syndrome. At this point your dog may be in a near state of shock and will be close to death. The only alternative at this stage is surgery to eradicate the worms. Even with this radical measure
success is not guranteed.

In summary, the ideal thing you're able to do for your dog is to prevent Heartworms from even having a chance at your dog. If you get them on a good quality routine early on, it is to be expected that you'll never have to deal with this hideous problem.

It is critically important for a dog owner to be informed of the dangers of the parasitic heartworm. As their moniker suggests, Heartworms exist inside a dogs heart where they can carry out a lot of damage.

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Most dog-owners this day probably put down the dog dish without giving much thought to what we are actually feeding our pets. Pet food experts call it dog food as opposed to human food, touted as the only complete and nutritious way we can feed our dogs.

We don’t think twice after reading the Nutritional Information on the label, not imagining what harmful dog food secrets could be packed within.

There used to be a time when dogs ate real food. This is a short account of the evolution of what dogs ate, from real food to so-called dog food.

Until processed dog food was introduced, dogs have lived well and long on a natural diet of table scraps or leftovers from their owners. Owners who were more particular would even make specially prepared meals for their beloved pets, just as they would take the time to feed their own children.

That was before the 1940s, before commercial dog food became widely popular for reasons of cost and convenience. Prior to that, in the year 1860, an electrician named James Spratt introduced the first processed dog food or dog cakes made from beetroot, wheat, vegetables and beef blood.

Other companies followed suit, coming up with canine food that was mostly baked. There weren't too many secret ingredients back then in those early stages of dog food manufacturing, unlike the amount of untold items now being put in processed dog food.

During the Depression, the traditional practice of feeding dogs human food began to change as dog owners sought more economical options.

Meat was increasingly substituted with more grains, which were introduced with canned processed meat and dehydrated dog food in the 1940s. After World War II, the production and consumption of commercial dog food rose.

Manufacturers took advantage of the availability of affordable ingredients like grain hulls and discarded meat from slaughterhouses—basically discarded waste not fit for us humans to eat but apparently good enough for our pets.

From being a mere economical option, manufacturers were then set on marketing dog food as the sole nourishment fit for dogs, rationalizing that table scraps weren't sufficient for a dog’s complex nutritional needs.

Labeling became more elaborate and attractive, and different kinds of diets were introduced for special health conditions and different stages in a dog’s life.

Throughout the years, the evolution of dog food has gone further in so-called development as to include more and more preservatives and other secret ingredients.

Along with these advances in manufacturing that ensures longer shelf-life for the products is the rise in the number of early dog deaths due to diseases caused by these substances. Chemicals used in the processing of dog food have been found to cause various cancers, kidney failure and heart disease.

These days, people are becoming more and more aware of the nutritional stipulations of their pets, but are still often deceived by tricky dog food labels. It is a fact that back in those simpler times when dogs ate natural food, their average lifespan was much longer that what it is today.

A good number of dog owners now go by a more enlightened way of feeding their pets, and have seen positive effects in the health of their dogs.

These owners share the idea of turning back to traditional ways of feeding and other beneficial dog food secrets. The result should be longer and happier lives for our favorite companions.

Heartworm for dogs is a search term many people are using to find out information on heartworm in dogs. You're smart enough to know that heartworms in dogs can be serious and that you need information to help you with prevention and treatment. We'll discuss traditional treatment and natural treatments. Imagine being able to make an intelligent decision on which option is best for you and your pet.

I’ll get right to the point after some basic information.

WHAT CAUSES HEARTWORM FOR DOGS

Heartworms are caused in our pets when our pets are bitten by mosquitoes which have become infected with heartworms from biting other infected animals. A number of animals can be host to heartworms. They include dogs, cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes, ferrets, sea lions and even humans. When the infected mosquito bites our pets the mosquito deposits larvae into the skin of our pets. The larvae are from the parasitic roundworm known as dirofilaria immitis. The larvae migrate to the heart and within 6 months they hatch or transform into worms that look like pieces of thread. The heartworms can in found in the chambers of the heart and in the two main arteries leading to the heart (Pulmonary artery and vena cava). From there they move to other parts of the body including the lungs and liver.

HEARTWORM SYMPTOMS

Breathing difficulties

Coughing

Vomiting

Weight loss

Collapse

Convulsions

Sudden death

Tiredness

Decreased appetite

Heart failure

Difficulty exercising

Bloody sputum

Loss of consciousness

Abnormal lung sounds

May take years after initial infection to show up

HEARTWORM DIAGNOSIS | HEARTWORM FOR DOGS

Vets will normally perform the test

Usually diagnosed with a blood test

TRADITIONAL TREATMENT FOR HEARTWORM FOR DOGS

Treatment for heartworm for dogs takes on two different approaches. The first is treatment and prevention with traditional veterinarian prescribed medications such as Revolution, Heartgard, Interceptor, and Iverhart. These medications are used to kill the larvae that are in our dog’s bloodstream before they've hatched and become heartworms. These medications use an insecticide to kill the larvae.

SIDE EFFECTS FROM HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVE MEDICATIONS

Side effects from use of heartworm preventative medications include diarrhea, convulsions, vomiting and general tiredness or weakness. Your pet’s body recognizes the chemicals in the heartworm pills as poison and uses their immune systems to try and fight off what they see as foreign bodies. Therefore, when on these medications your pets will have weakened immune systems which allow your pet to get sick easier.

ALTERNATIVE PREVENTION FOR HEARTWORM FOR DOGS

Because many veterinarians now recognize that long term use of preventative medications can cause side effects in our pets many people are turning to alternative methods to prevent heartworms. The methods will help overall but you should discuss using them with your vet.

Provide a healthy diet. Many people are now avoiding commercial pet food and feeding their pets natural vegetables, fruits, and raw meat

Boost your pet’s immune system

Strengthen your pet’s heart and circulatory system

In areas where heartworms are prevalent think about regular de-worming

Black walnut extract and garlic are also being used as preventatives

Prevention is much cheaper than treatment at the vet’s office

Many current medications produce harmful side effects in our pets. That's why a growing number of concerned pet owners have decided to use natural remedies. Many natural remedies work quite well and save you a bunch of money in the process. Read on through the last paragraph and find out home remedies secrets that are safe and effective.

This article discusses heartworm for dogs and substitute treatments you can use.

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The disease does not affect the ticks but affects other mammals like dogs due to the toxin secreted by the ticks. What happens, is that a tick bite can produce a flaccid paralysis, which leaves your dog with no muscular tone, feeling weak.

Not all dogs and mammals suffer from this kind of a paralysis on being bitten by ticks as only some of them bear the brunt, while some others only experience weakness in their hind legs. Since the side effects can vary, some mammals can easily fall into a critical state as their muscles become unable to move, especially their respiratory muscles, therefore making it difficult for the animal to breathe.

Therefore, you should always know how to distinguish the signs of paralysis caused by ticks, so that you can get the symptoms under control and remove the ticks before things turn worse.

Read on to discover how you can easily prevent a deadly situation for your pooch…

Symptoms

You will start noticing signs of paralysis only after 5 to 7 days after your dog has been bitten by ticks and it usually takes quite a few bites delivered at a time for paralysis to take place.

You may notice that your dog suddenly seems weaker and has poor coordination with his/her hind legs, which are the very first clues that your dog has been bit by a tick. Your pet dog may also show difficulty in breathing, chewing or even swallowing, though he may not have any fever or other symptoms.

Due to these problems like difficulty in breathing, respiratory malfunction can occur causing the death of your pet and it is thus imperative for you to take cognisance of these symptoms and take remedial action at the earliest.

Findings

Paralysis is normally diagnosed depending on the symptoms and the condition of the dog at that time. Paralysis has been known to be dependent on particular seasons, but your pet will recover swiftly as soon as the ticks are picked and removed from the body.

Constantly checking whether your pet has any ticks on specific regions of the body is a good way of being careful, even though you may feel that you'll be able to detect any symptoms of paralysis from his behavior.

Cures

There's a easy treatment for the issue, and that consists of removing any and all ticks. {You may have a hard time finding all of the ticks, or the tick, if your dog has a lot of fur, because ticks normally burrow into the skin, which means you may have to shave your dog for the time being, before they cause serious harm to your pooch.| It may be difficult for you to identify all the ticks especially if they're hidden in the thick fur of your pet’s body and you may have to totally shave your pet to get at them.| Picking up all the ticks on the pet’s body may be fraught with difficulty especially if your pet is very hairy and in that case you may need to shave your pet to ensure all ticks are effectively removed.|

Once the tick is removed, most dogs will quickly recover, but if your dog is severely affective, then he/she may require supportive care from a veterinarian, or artificial respiration may be required.

You can also administer an antitoxin injection to your pet to enable him to get well soon.

The ticks produce a poisonous substance that affects mammals like dogs and causes paralysis and in that sense, it is not the ticks that are affected but the dogs. What happens, is that a tick bite can produce a flaccid paralysis, which leaves your dog with no muscular tone, feeling weak.

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A massive variety of dogs food available in the market today. Owners sometime get confused whether to feed outside food or homemade food to their dog. But many people advocate to homemade food is better for dogs for their superior health and growth. Many of us believe its very complex to make dog food at home. But it can be made very easily in your kitchen.

It’s important to realize that dog needs different kinds of food in different ages. Homemade foods can contain more protein and vitamin which might be missing in outside food. Sometimes the outside food is not safe for dog’s health. As we know protein is very much essential for massive dog breeding, homemade food can be perfect for their growth.

Homemade dog foods are safer and healthy for many reasons. Owner has more control on what their dog is eating. They can provide the essential vitamin and protein in the food and ensure proper health care for dog. Also the owner can avoid the chemicals which can cause harmful effects and allergies to dogs. Some experts found that outside dog food contain some of the ingredients which cause dog’s delicate brain and some imperfect behavior. Homemade dog foods taste much superior than outside dog food and it keeps dogs teeth and gums clean.

We always believe homemade dog food is best for children. The idea is not different in case of dog. Ideal healthy dog food recipes can make your dog a happy child for you.

Winter time is quickly approaching and while the winter months can be lots of fun for you and your dog, there are a few precautions you should take to make sure that your dog is healthy and happy all winter long. Here are some recommended precautions.

• Increase Fido’s caloric intake. It is wise to increase your pup’s protein intake during the winter months. This helps your dog maintain a thick, warm coat.
• Don’t shave your dog’s coat. It might sound like common sense, but it is worth stating. Don't shave your buddy down to the skin. Fido needs a winter coat too.
• Don’t let your dog air dry. Common sense again, but just for the record, if you wash your dog, dry him or her absolutely before you go outside. Also, when you get home from your walk in snowy or icy conditions, be sure to totally dry your pup’s feet and legs. This isn't only for their comfort but also to prevent them from ingesting excess salt and harmful anti-freeze type chemicals. Left alone, wet feet can also chap, crack and bleed.
• Make sure their bed is warm and insulated. Check their sleeping area for drafts. Give them a warm blanket and pillow to make sure their nights are comfy and cozy. You can also leave them a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel (to prevent burning). Your dog will love it.
• Get Fido some duds. Sweaters and coats are a good addition in very cold weather. It’s not a Paris Hilton thing; it will truly improve your pup’s quality of life. If you own a short-haired breed think about getting a turtle neck that extends the length of their body, all the way to the tail. They will appreciate it (and look stylin’!)
• Don’t leave your best friend outside for prolonged periods. It’s cold out there and they will suffer. It also increases their chances of getting sick. Keep your dog inside as much as possible, and when they do go outside, go with them. If you’re too cold, changes are so are they.
• Keep your buddy on the leash. When the ground is frozen, it becomes easy for a dog to lose their scent, and thus easier for a dog to get lost. Because of this, more dogs go missing in the winter months so make sure they always have their tags on. This is a dangerous time of year for your pup to go on a walk-about. This is especially true if you live near a pond or lake.
• Don’t leave your dog alone in the car. Just like the summer months, your vehicle becomes a hostile environment in extreme weather. Dogs can freeze to death in a closed, frigid environment. Don’t take that chance.
• Be careful with your puppy or elderly dog. Puppies can't tolerate cold the way a full-grown dog can. Same goes for very elderly or sickly dogs. If it is quite cold out, you may need to use a puppy pads for house training and wait till spring to start moving them outside. Older dogs can go outside to relieve themselves if necessary but during extreme cold a puppy training pads is a great backup plan. Keep in mind that the cold can aggravate arthritis, so keeping an elderly dog inside can significantly improve their comfort.
• Get a winter veterinary checkup. It’s a great time to make an appointment with your vet and check and see how your buddy’s health is. This will help ensure everything is tip-top or make you aware of any conditions that might be intensified by the cold.
• Seek medical attention if your dog gets ill. Frostbite and hypothermia are the most common serious conditions your pup might contract in extremely cold temperatures. If you get the slightest suspicion that your dog is experiencing symptoms of either of these ailments, see a veterinary hospital immediately. Frostbite occurs when a part of the dog (usually paws, ears, or tail) get so cold that the tissue literally forms internal ice crystals. This can be very painful and cause permanent damage. It is also hard to spot right away so the best course of action is avoiding frost-bite educing situation. Signs of hypothermia are more apparent. Look for shivering, depression, lethargy, and weakness. The dog’s muscles will eventually stiffen and their heart rate will drop. They may even become catatonic. Obviously, this is a scary and hazardous ailment; seek out hospitalization right away.

The winter months can be a lot of fun for you and your pet if you take the proper precautions. Have fun and be safe!

Tips for keeping your dog happy and healthy this winter.

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]]> http://eporti.com/winter-care-for-your-dog/feed/ 0 http://eporti.com/keep-your-dog-fit-and-healthy-give-her-the-best-dog-food-possible/ http://eporti.com/keep-your-dog-fit-and-healthy-give-her-the-best-dog-food-possible/#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:39:11 +0000 Master http://eporti.com/keep-your-dog-fit-and-healthy-give-her-the-best-dog-food-possible/ food is best for dogs, others argue that commercial dog food is better. Anyway, we have witnessed a shift towards commercial dog food, owing much to the fast paced life that we all lead. ... ]]> What is the best dog food? Veterinarians are often hit by that question from scads of anxious dog owners. Every dog owner wants to feed their dog with the ideal that's available. However, the sheer variety of dog foods and the conflicting views on the ideal dog diet can leave you quite perplexed. While some experts assert that home made food is ideal for dogs, others argue that commercial dog food is better. Anyway, we have witnessed a shift towards commercial dog food, owing much to the fast paced life that we all lead.

Even if you don’t find time out of your hectic work schedule to prepare a home made dog meal, you can still provide your pet with the ideal dog food. The markets are buzzing with prepackaged real dog foods that are much like the home made dog meals. Either you can buy a prepackaged meal to provide balanced nutrition, or you may buy a specific diet according to your dog’s individual needs. Prepackaged meals are formulated from natural or organic ingredients and are usually available in a dry form. Though this variety of dog food is rather expensive, feeding the ideal dog food entails significantly lower veterinary bills.

For some dog owners prepackaged real food is simply unaffordable. In such a scenario, the most viable option is to either prepare a dog meal at home, or go in for canned dog foods. The most affordable and easily accessible variety of dog foods is the canned variety.

Canned dog foods come in handy during travel and in emergency. The ideal dog foods consist of real, whole and known ingredients. Canned foods typically contain preservatives, since there might be a significant time gap between manufacturing and consumption. In general, canned food manufacturers can't dispense with the preservatives. Hence, you must ensure that the preservatives used are natural, such as vitamin E and C.

The best dog foods are not only available at your neighborhood grocery store, you can avail them at vet offices & feed stores and natural food stores too. However, it is imperative that you conduct a preliminary research so as to gauge the efficacy of the brand of your choice. Manufacturers that offer the best dog foods are always willing to heed to the customer’s concern and inquiries. They would keep dog owners updated on their latest products and would be glad to offer advice on canine nutrition.

Some dog owners, which feed their dog with the ideal dog foods around, are often flabbergasted to see their pet’s health deteriorate over time. What they miss out on is the fact that appropriate fluid intake is equally important as a good diet. An adult dog’s body comprises of 60% water, while a puppy has an overwhelming 84% water content. It’s surprising to know that even a mere 10% water loss can be detrimental to a dog’s health.

Feed and water your dog with the ideal dog foods and ensure appropriate fluid intake, and you would never have to be anxious about your dog’s wellbeing.

]]> http://eporti.com/keep-your-dog-fit-and-healthy-give-her-the-best-dog-food-possible/feed/ 0 http://eporti.com/dog-legg-calve-perthes-syndrome/ http://eporti.com/dog-legg-calve-perthes-syndrome/#comments Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:24:41 +0000 Master http://eporti.com/dog-legg-calve-perthes-syndrome/

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCP Disease) is a congenital (present at birth) degeneration of the bone end. LCP disease of the hip joint that results in abnormal deformity of the ball of the hip joint, caused by the disruption of the blood supply to the head of the femur (the round bone which fits into the hip socket). Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease have different names but refers to the same disease: Calve-Perthes disease, Legg-Perthes disease, Avascular necrosis of the femoral head, Coxa plana or Osteochondritis juvenilis. Legg-Calve-Perthes results when the blood supply to the femoral head is interrupted, resulting in the death of bone cells. This is usually followed by a period of revascularization, where the femoral head is subject to remodeling and/or collapse, creating an irregular fit into the hip socket. This process of bone cells dying and chipping followed by new bone growth and the remodeling of the femoral head and neck, leads to stiffness and pain in the rear leg or legs.

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is common in miniature, toy breeds and many other small breed dogs and affects the hip joints of dogs in the ages of 4 to 12 months old. Poodles, Yorkies, Lakeland terriers, west Highland white terriers, Jack Russell terriers and miniature pinchers just to name a few of mostly affected by this syndrome. Sometimes easily mistaken for hip dysplasia is Legg Calv Perthes disease. The immediate cause of bone death is loss of blood supply. Both sexes are affected, but males suffer 4 times more often than females. This is an avascular (pertaining to inadequate blood supply), aseptic (not infected), developmental osteonecrosis (dying of bone tissue) of the femoral head and neck, found nearly entirely in toy or other small breeds. It can be described as a localized tissue anemia. On radiographs, it often looks as if the bone is rotting away, and lameness with variable pain is the major or only symptom. A young dog affected with this disease will gradually develop pain and lameness in 1 hind leg, which slowly worsens over 3 or 4 weeks. The pain will become quite severe, and there's usually muscle shrinkage (atrophy) in the affected leg. In the rare cases where both hips are affected, the dog will sometimes “bunny-hop”. As the disease progresses, the dog may suspend the affected limb in the air, and may or may not exhibit pain when the leg is flexed. In very mild cases, often no symptoms are apparent, while in severe cases; the dog can be in great pain and become very irritable.

Diagnosis is accomplished through radiographs (X-rays) of the hips, often done under light anesthesia. Depending on how far the disease has progressed, there may be muscle wasting (atrophy) in the affected limb. Radiographs will show whether your dog has the characteristic features of this disease, and also if there are other bony degenerative changes to the hip. Diagnosis is confirmed with a bone biopsy. Radiographic (X ray) signs of Legg Perthes are usually gross and discouraging, as many cases are not referred to the vet or the specialist for diagnosis until the dog has been limping for a long time or the disease has progressed to the point that it becomes a more real problem to the owner. These small dogs put so tiny weight on their tiny hip joints that they almost can compensate for anguish by walking on their forelimbs instead of their four limbs.

There are two approaches in treating this disease: conservative therapy and surgical operation. Conservative treatment with strict cage rest and physical therapy could be successful only if the femoral head is still has its normal shape and is is tightly seated in the socket; monthly radiographs should be made until the pet is 1 year of age. The animal is carried to and from the cage and kept on a leash during evacuation. Strict adherence to this form of treatment results in a dog with nearly normal femoral head (bone end) and complete return of pain-free motion and a normal gait. It takes 4 to 6 months before the femoral head heals sufficiently to permit normal movement.

Surgical Operation. Many dogs have advanced cases of this disease by the time they are examined by a veterinarian and medical treatment is not likely to work. In these dogs, excision of the femoral head (ball portion of the hip joint) is often beneficial. Removal of this section of the bone diminishes painful bony contact in the hip joint. Recovery from this surgery can be slow with recovery periods of up to one year sometimes occurring before good use of the affected leg returns. If muscle atrophy is not present at the time of surgery the recovery time is usually much less. Pain relief and anti-inflammatory medications may be beneficial. Femoral head and neck excision is the treatment of choice if the radiographs show deformity of the femoral head or looseness of the hip joint; this surgery involves removing the femoral head and neck.

Usually excellent, and within several months, the dog can again walk and run. In some cases, the affected leg may remain slightly shorter and the muscles may be somewhat atrophied. Some veterinarians feel there may be an increased risk of arthritis as the dog ages.

Legg-Calve-Perthes results when the blood supply to the femoral head is interrupted, resulting in the death of bone cells of the affected dog. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is general in miniature, toy breeds and many other small breed dogs and affects the hip joints of dogs in the ages of 4 to 12 months old.

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