OFA Legg-Calve-Perthes Procedures
In an effort to assist breeders in establishing a control program to limit the prevalence of the LCP, the OFA offers a health database specific to LCP. The OFA evaluations and the subsequent database of information will allow breeders to make more informed breeding decisions.
- Owners submit radiographs of their dogs in the standard hip extended ventrodorsal view endorsed by the AVMA.
- Dogs must be a minimum of 12 months of age on the date of the radiograph to be eligible for an LCP number.
- The radiographs may be taken by any veterinarian, but must contain the required dog identification in the film emulsion, exhibit proper positioning, and must be of sufficient quality for the OFA to reach a diagnosis.
- The radiographs along with the completed application and $25 evaluation fee are submitted to the OFA for review.
- At the time of submission, the owner selects whether any abnormal finding may be released in the public domain. All normal results are in the public domain and are available on the OFA website.
- A Board Certified Radiologist reviews the radiograph for evidence of Legg-Calve-Perthes.
- Phenotypically normal dogs are assigned an OFA Legg-Calve-Perthes number.
- Dogs with evidence of LCP are not assigned a number, but the OFA will issue a report stating the findings.
- The OFA submits quarterly reports to the parent club containing the dogs receiving LCP numbers, as well as any overall aggregate statistical data.
The same radiographic image can be used to evaluate the presence of both LCP and hip dysplasia. Evidence of LCP would be detected during an OFA hip dysplasia evaluation and would yield abnormal results. A dog over 12 months of age receiving a normal OFA preliminary report or an OFA hip number is therefore also normal for Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and is automatically eligible to obtain an OFA LCP number.
To receive an OFA LCP number based on a previous hip evaluation, owners should complete the appropriate application and the OFA will assign an LCP number. Evaluation fees will be refunded for dogs determined by the OFA to be affected.
