West Highland White Terriers Perths Disease Symptoms & Information

West Highland White Terriers or Westies are a breed of dogs typically all-white in color and an average of 10 to 11 inches in length. While the American Kennel Club reports that Westies are affectionate dogs appropriate for families, they are susceptible to some medical conditions, including Perths Disease or Legg-Calve-Perthes.

Identification

Perths Disease occurs when blood flow to one of your Westie's legs becomes cut off. This results in death of the upper bone in your dog's leg.

Causes

Possible causes of Perths Disease in Westies include trauma or injury to the affected leg, inflammation, poor nutrition and genetics.

Time Frame

Perths Disease usually develops in Westies between the ages of four and 11 months.

Types of Symptoms

Symptoms of Perth's Disease in your Westie include limping or hopping, holding the leg in the air and irritability.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Veterinarians rely upon X-rays of the affected leg in order to diagnose Perths Disease. Usually non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are successful in treating Perths, though severe cases sometimes require immobilization of the leg or surgery.

Prognosis

Normally, dogs recover from Perths in several months, though surgery may take a year to fully recover from. Your dog may limp slightly, however, due to shortening of the affected leg.

References

• American Kennel Club
• West Highland White Terrier Club of North America
• Canadian West Highland White Terrier Club