Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
What is Elbow Dysplasia?
Elbow dysplasia is generally a disease that affects rapidly growing, large breed puppies, however, some dogs do not develop symptoms until after adulthood. This is a painful condition that often makes its first appearance in puppyhood.
Elbow dysplasia is a general term meaning arthritis of the elbow joint. This condition is one of the most common causes of the front leg.
Symptoms of Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs
- Swollen joints
- Difficulty getting up
- Lameness
- Reluctance to play or go on a walk
- Dog’s feet will rotate outward
- Pet shows pain upon manipulation of elbow joints
- Decreased range of motion of one or both elbows
Causes of Elbow Dysplasia
- high protein diet
- trauma
- hormonal imbalances
- poor nutrition
- rapid weight gain
The exact cause of elbow dysplasia has never been identified.
Treatment
Treatment options depend on how severe your dog’s condition is. If the elbow dysplasia is mild, conservative medical options may be offered.
- Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
- Adequan is a polysulfated glycosaminoglycan that can repair cartilage and lubricate joints.
- Surgery, in many cases, works well if elbow dysplasia is caught early but owners should be aware that any component of arthritis that is already in the elbow joint will continue to cause the dog pain, even after surgery.
Prevention
If you adopt a dog rather than using a breeder, being sure to feed a high-quality diet and keeping your pet at a healthy weight are the best things you can do to help decrease the risk of joint problems.
Feeding large breed dogs specially designed large breed puppy food for a full year is important. This will ensure that the dog has the proper nutrient components needed to help with proper orthopedic development.
