Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease - Just Diagnosed.

[OopsyDaisy]

Ash is only 17 months old and was diagnosed yesterday with this disease. He was completely healthy and active one day and the next he was dragging his back end across the floor and crying when I touched him. I thought our big dog had stepped on him but apparenty, he was born with this. I'm distraught about it. He is on strict crate restriction until I can figure out, along with the vet from the rescue where I adopted him, what course to take. I'm just hearbroken about this. He is currently on Gabapentin and Metacalm. His sister is upset too because she doesn't understand what's wrong with him. Does anyone have any experience with this? I have done a little reading and it seems like there is a lot of ongoing physio and xray following the surgery. I don't even know how successful it is. Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you so much.

 

[LTS3]

I do not have any experience with this but found some reputable veterinary sources with more info on the condition, if you haven't already seen them:

Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease: A Retrospective Study - WSAVA2009 - VIN

www.vin.com

Getting closer to the cause of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is a rare but devastating condition causing hip pain and lameness. Its cause is currently unknown, so Dr. Rory Todhunter is searching the canine genome for mutations that might be involved. The Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center is funding this work, which...

www.vet.cornell.edu

Juvenile Orthopedic Disease in Dogs & Cats, Part 1: Musculoskeletal Development and Pediatric Bone Diseases

This article describes musculoskeletal development and provides an overview of pediatric bone diseases, including signalment, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

todaysveterinarypractice.com

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952619

It seems to mostly affect certain dog breeds and usually in juveniles. It's a genetic disease that can happen at any time.

You can seek out a veterinary specialist if the current vet isn't familiar with how to best treat your cat's condition.

 

[OopsyDaisy]

I do not have any experience with this but found some reputable veterinary sources with more info on the condition, if you haven't already seen them:

http://[URL]https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?id=4253094&pid=11290

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http://[URL]https://www.vet.cornell...tting-closer-cause-legg-calve-perthes-disease

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http://[URL]https://todaysveterinar...skeletal-development-pediatric-bone-diseases/

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http://[URL]https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952619

[/URL]

It seems to mostly affect certain dog breeds and usually in juveniles. It's a genetic disease that can happen at any time.

You can seek out a veterinary specialist if the current vet isn't familiar with how to best treat your cat's condition.

Thanks so much for your reply and for the links. My current vet wasn't comfortable with it so she did refer me to the vet where I rescued my kittens. They are now reaching out to specialists and will get back to me soon. I'm hoping and praying for the best outcome possible.

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. I believe it is treated with surgery FHO. They remove the head of the femur, basically the ball of the hip socket. I know most cats do very well with that surgery. I have not seen this condition that I can remember. It is rare in cats. I am glad you are consulting with an orthopedic specialist.

 

[OopsyDaisy]

Hi. I believe it is treated with surgery FHO. They remove the head of the femur, basically the ball of the hip socket. I know most cats do very well with that surgery. I have not seen this condition that I can remember. It is rare in cats. I am glad you are consulting with an orthopedic specialist.

Yes, that seems to be the only course of action. His is really advanced for his age and there was no warning. He's just such a special boy. I can't even...

 

[fionasmom]

Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) in Cats | VCA Animal Hospital

It is more common in dogs and the surgery is usually successful. I would proceed with whatever consultations you need to see if you can restore your little boy to good health and mobility.

On the show, Dr. Jeff, Rocky Mountain Vet, it seemed that he performed this surgery very frequently with good results. Don't google back episodes as they won't add that much to your research, but the procedure is definitely out there and often done.

Please keep us posted.

 

[OopsyDaisy]

Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) in Cats | VCA Animal Hospital

It is more common in dogs and the surgery is usually successful. I would proceed with whatever consultations you need to see if you can restore your little boy to good health and mobility.

On the show, Dr. Jeff, Rocky Mountain Vet, it seemed that he performed this surgery very frequently with good results. Don't google back episodes as they won't add that much to your research, but the procedure is definitely out there and often done.

Please keep us posted.

Thanks so much for the encouragement. I've had cats my entire life and I have never come across this. He is taking his medicine like a champ and the vet is supposed to get back to me within a few days after she consults with the specialists. I just love him so much. I've had cats my entire life but his personality tops them all. So unexpected. Seeing him so helpless and in pain is killing me. The vet says that it is just bone rubbing on bone and the right leg is already broken. It broke within a week of our first visit. Despite all this, he still wants to play with his front paws and he grabs on to me to cuddle. Precious.

 

[OopsyDaisy]

 

[fionasmom]

He is a beautiful little boy and it is easy to see from the look on his face that he loves you.

 

[OopsyDaisy]

He is a beautiful little boy and it is easy to see from the look on his face that he loves you.

The waiting to hear back is so stressful. I did check out Dr. Jeff and I see he passed, sad. I've been watching some other videos of cats in recovery from this surgery. It looks like they do well. The vet did tell me not to worry, that it will work out one way or the other, so I'm going to hold on to that thought. Thank you!

 

[arr]

My cat doesn’t have this disease but he had to have the FHO surgery about one year ago due to a fall. He did really well. He was initially kept in a bedroom with nothing that he could jump onto for about three weeks I believe. He could walk around a little and use the litter box, but he mostly slept. I think the painkillers kind of knocked him out, but it was good, he seemed very comfortable and pain free during recovery. Around the third week they encouraged more movement and around a month very small jumps (like one stair) were encouraged. I may have forgotten the exact timeline but they send you home with very specific directions on movement. Anyway, the recovery wasn’t too bad and he was back to having the run of the house in about six weeks. He had a limp for awhile but even that is now gone. I thought I would share my experience with the surgery to let you know that it isn’t too bad at all.

 

[DreamerRose]

I'm so sorry this has happened to your boy, but the vet's comments are encouraging. I've seen Dr. Jeff do that surgery many times, and as everyone says, it works out very well. Many thoughts coming your way.

 

[OopsyDaisy]

My cat doesn’t have this disease but he had to have the FHO surgery about one year ago due to a fall. He did really well. He was initially kept in a bedroom with nothing that he could jump onto for about three weeks I believe. He could walk around a little and use the litter box, but he mostly slept. I think the painkillers kind of knocked him out, but it was good, he seemed very comfortable and pain free during recovery. Around the third week they encouraged more movement and around a month very small jumps (like one stair) were encouraged. I may have forgotten the exact timeline but they send you home with very specific directions on movement. Anyway, the recovery wasn’t too bad and he was back to having the run of the house in about six weeks. He had a limp for awhile but even that is now gone. I thought I would share my experience with the surgery to let you know that it isn’t too bad at all.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience with me. It really helps. So happy that your little guy is doing so well!

 

[OopsyDaisy]

I'm so sorry this has happened to your boy, but the vet's comments are encouraging. I've seen Dr. Jeff do that surgery many times, and as everyone says, it works out very well. Many thoughts coming your way.

Thanks so much! I am hoping to hear something from the vet today. Will post updates.

 

[OopsyDaisy]

***Update On Ash***

Surgery is scheduled for Ash on Nov. 10th! Only three more days to go, Yay!

I'm nervous about what to expect, but I know we willl get through this. The videos I've watched on the recovery are very encouraging. I just hope and pray it's successful and that he will be pain free and able to walk again in a few weeks. He's been taking his meds like such a champ, and I'm doing whatever I can to keep him comfortable. Trying to keep him still is almost an impossible task because he's so playful.

The surgery is extremely expensive but we managed to get the best estimate and will be taking him out of town for the procedure. I don't know if I am allowed to post this here but, I made a fundraiser for him. We are retired and on a fixed income, so every little bit helps. Fundraiser information is posted in the SOS forum. Please PM me if you would like additional information about his care.

 

[OopsyDaisy]

fionasmom Thank you so much for your help with this!

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi
I'm sending you all my very best thoughts and prayers!! By the way, there were a lot of rumors about Dr. Jeff after his cancer diagnosis but he's in remission and very alive, at least as of March 2022

 

[OopsyDaisy]

Hi
I'm sending you all my very best thoughts and prayers!! By the way, there were a lot of rumors about Dr. Jeff after his cancer diagnosis but he's in remission and very alive, at least as of March 2022

Oh really? Well, that is wonderful news! I imagine that he is in big demand. Thank you so much for the well-wishes!

 

[OopsyDaisy]

I'm getting nervous about the surgery. That's probably normal. Maybe I'm just a worrier. Any tips and encouragement for his after care would be appreciated. Gonna set up a nice little crate apartment for him. I do have one issue with the crate, maybe someone could help? When I put a small litter box in there, he goes in and tries to tip it over then he digs out all the litter. I'm not sure why. I just get it all nice and comfy and clean, then he does that.

 

[Furballsmom]

he goes in and tries to tip it over then he digs out all the litter.

Would something with lower sides be better? .. .. and some pee pads to help with cleanup?