Ongoing research for LCP – send in a sample

http://www.westiefoundation.org/currentresearch/dna-lcp.htm

The Westie Foundation is working with Clemson University to research the genetic mutation occuring in Westies with LCPD.  Here is what they are asking for:

URGENT!  WESTIE DNA SAMPLES NEEDED FOR NEW LEGG-CALVE-PERTHES GENETIC RESEARCH PROJECT

The Clemson University Canine Genetic Laboratory is beginning a new project investigating Legg-Calve-Perthes (LCP) in West Highland White Terriers. We are collecting blood samples from LCP-affected dogs and normal, unaffected dogs. All supplies and shipping costs will be provided by our lab and most veterinarians are willing to draw blood samples for research at no cost.

We Need Your Help!

We currently have samples from 7 LCPD-affected Westies and 6 unaffected Westies. Our minimum number of samples required to complete this work is 20 affected and 20 unaffectedWesties.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please follow the instructions below for details on sample collection and submission. All information collected for this study will be kept confidential.

LEGG-CALVE-PERTHES PROJECT – WESTIE OWNER INSTRUCTIONS

1. Print the LCPDNA-Submission-Package, in .PDF format.


2. Fill out the Owner’s Consent Form.


3. Fill out the Submission Form.


4. Contact Dr. Alison Starr (astarr@clemson.edu) for a FedEx account number to bill the sample shipment to. Save this account number to give to the veterinarian.


5. Bring all pages, including the forms, instructions and FedEx account number to the veterinarian.

LEGG-CALVE-PERTHES PROJECT – VETERINARIAN INSTRUCTIONS

1. Obtain from the owner: Owner’s Consent Form, Submission Form, Blood Collection Instructions and FedEx account number for shipping.


2. Collect blood according to the Blood Collection Instructions.


3. Ship out sample via FedEx STANDARD OVERNIGHT, Monday through Thurs, according to Blood Collection Instructions.

 

Howie’s surgery was successful according to the surgeon and we should we able to pick him up tomorrow. They will monitor him over night and give him pain medication. I am glad it is over with and hope his recovery isn’t too hard.

Yesterday we took Howie to meet with the surgeon. He made us feel much more comfortable with the inevitable and made the recovery sound less taxing than I had read online. We have to remember that dogs are not human and do not have the same emotions, regret, or pain experiences that we have. I love my dog to death but I know that he is resilient and will bounce back quickly. Most dogs forget they even have no hip according to the surgeon. I feel much better about the procedure, which he will have next week. The one regret I have is not signing up for pet insurance before going to the vet. I had researched the signs and knew he might have it but didn’t put two and two together.

Here are some xrays that were similar to his, although his was much more depleted at the top of the femoral head. (Courtesy of TopDog and http://www.fhoguide.com/FHO-hip-problems.php)

 

Howie has started taking an anti-inflammatory as prescribed by the vet twice a day. He seems to be limping less but I noticed that he still won’t put any weight on the right hind leg. He seems to balance on all three other limbs. I hope the surgery will ultimately lead to less pain and allow him to be able to run around again.

One of the signs of LCPD is the dog “biting” at his affected hip. Here you can see Howie had been biting at his right hind hip right where it creases to his torso. It might be a little hard to see in this picture but his hair is very short there. Originally I thought it was a nervous habit that he was biting himself when he was home alone so we put a cone on him for a while. It wasn’t until later that I realize that this was actually a sign of the disease.

Throughout Howie’s diagnosis, surgery and recovery I would like to report on costs I incurred in the hope that others can plan. I also need to mention that I should have gotten pet insurance before going to the vet, especially since I knew that something was wrong. I ADVISE everyone to get pet insurance that covers congenial diseases because you never know what will come up. This is also one of the main reasons I am trying to create awareness!

So far here is the total:

Stage 1 : Diagnosis

• Initial vet examination and consult – $ 70


• Day boarding to take Xrays – $ 30


• Sedation for Xrays – $ 40


• 2 Radiographs (Xrays) – $ 180


• Surgeon Consultation – $ 88

Running Total = $ 408

Stage 2 : Surgery

• Surgery and one night stay in hospital – $ 2245

Running Total = $ 408+$ 2245 = $ 2653

At first I couldn’t believe that Howie had something wrong with him, I had always thought that nothing like that would ever happen to me. I was deeply saddened knowing the pain Howie would have to endure in the future and was very down. He was only a mere 9 months old! How could this happen to my baby, the dog I had waited all of my life to get.

The next day I realized that instead of cursing the heavens and being very angry at the breeder (even though she swears it is not in the bloodline) that I was going to have to be the strong one for my pup. I couldn’t go around crying and letting him suffer by waiting on the surgery. I decided there was nothing I could do at this point but to help him in any way I could.

After Howie’s visit to the vet they decided to keep him for the day to do Xrays. This cost me around $ 400 because I didn’t have pet insurance yet. After a few hours I picked Howie up and waited until thy next day for the vet to call. She had bad news…he had the disease and would need very expensive surgery and anti-inflammatory medication until the surgery could be scheduled. The price quoted was from $ 2100-2800! I was shocked, scared, and sad for Howie but knew that he was a member of the family and would do the surgery so he wouldn’t have to suffer.

Here is a simple article explaining the disease (a warning its a little graphic in nature):

http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/legg_calve.htm