Case of the month: Juvenile terrier mix with progressive right hind lameness

Case of the month 

The 9-month-old terrier mix "Spike" presents with progressive right hind lameness.
For further clarification a ventro-dorsal radiograph of the pelvis shown above is obtained.

This image reveals the following radiographic findings:

Moderate heterogeneous bone density especially of the right femoral head epiphysis, characterized by generalized sclerosis and multifocal, partly confluent radiolucencies.

The cranial acetabular rim on the right side is slightly increased in sclerosis compared to the left side.

The radiographic diagnosis is therefore:

Avascular femoral head necrosis ("Legg-Calvé-Perthe's disease"; LCP)

Additional information:

Avascular femoral head necrosis most commonly affects young dogs of dwarf and
small dog breeds. An autosomal recessive inheritance is suspected in terrier breeds.
In up to 90% of cases, the disease is unilateral. The earliest radiological sign is a widened joint space, followed by heterogeneity of the proximal femoral epiphysis with areas of decreased and increased bone density.


Many thanks to Dr. ECVDI Florian Willmitzer for this case report!