Elbow dysplasia in dogs: causes, symptoms and treatment
Elbow dysplasia is a growth-related, chronic disease of the dog's elbow joints, for which affected animals usually have a genetic predisposition. Severe elbow dysplasia can cause osteoarthritis and lameness in dogs.
The joint disease is not curable. However, its progression can be slowed down with the right measures.
In the following, we will explain how elbow dysplasia occurs in dogs, the symptoms of the joint problems and which treatment measures can help.
Elbow dysplasia in dogs: what is it?
In the elbow joint, the humerus, ulna and radius meet. If the joint is healthy, the three bones fit together exactly. They also have an intact cartilage layer. Both ensure that the joint can be moved as intended and that there is no excessive friction.
If this is not the case, the friction first causes the cartilage to wear out and then the bones. This causes the dog to suffer from elbow dysplasia, which, in addition to pain and inflammation, also results in increasingly limited mobility of the affected joint.
How do you recognise elbow dysplasia in dogs?
The further the dog's elbow dysplasia progresses, the more the disease becomes noticeable. In the early stages, you will probably only notice occasional symptoms in your dog, such as a change in gait.
As the disease progresses, however, you will notice a marked increase in the restriction of mobility. This leads to increasingly stiff and insecure movements. In this phase of elbow dysplasia, you can also observe that your dog takes as little strain as possible on the damaged joint.
How is elbow dysplasia diagnosed in dogs?
If you notice possible symptoms of elbow dysplasia in your dog, you should consult a vet as soon as possible. To get to the bottom of your suspicion, the vet will x-ray the elbows of your four-legged friend.
If the condition of the joints cannot be checked beyond doubt on the images, it may be that a computer tomography (CT) is also necessary to reliably diagnose elbow dysplasia in the dog.
How is elbow dysplasia in dogs treated?
Which treatment measures are necessary is mainly influenced by the condition of the joints and the exact form of the dog's elbow dysplasia. In principle, treatment can be either conservative or surgical.
In most cases, severe elbow dysplasia can only be treated surgically. If there are loose cartilage or bone fragments in the dog's joint, for example, these must be removed to relieve the four-legged friend's symptoms.
It is also possible that the joint affected by elbow dysplasia may need to be stiffened or an endoprosthesis implanted. The veterinarian will determine whether such severe procedures are advisable, on an individual basis, based on the condition of the joint and the severity of the existing damage.
In addition to surgical treatment methods, it is also possible to reduce the discomfort of the dog's elbow dysplasia with pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medication. At least at the beginning of the disease, this may initially be sufficient.
Which dogs suffer particularly frequently from elbow dysplasia?
The probability of developing elbow dysplasia is not the same for all dogs. It is usually large breeds of dog that are affected by joint disease, while it is more the exception in small dogs.
The following dogs have an increased tendency to suffer from elbow dysplasia:
- German Shepherd Dog
- Rottweiler
- Newfoundland
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Great Swiss Mountain Dog
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Labrador
- Chow-Chow
How can elbow dysplasia in dogs be prevented?
Elbow dysplasia cannot be cured, and the disease cannot be avoided if the dog has the appropriate genetic make-up. However, as a dog owner, you can certainly do something to delay the onset of elbow dysplasia in your dog and slow down the damage to the joints.
Key factors in this context are, above all, a balanced diet and avoiding overloading the musculoskeletal system.
Inappropriate physical exertion promotes wear and tear on the already vulnerable elbow joints. As a dog owner, you should therefore make sure to ensure a healthy balance between activities and rest. This is especially true for puppies, as the joints of young dogs are still growing, but should of course, also be considered in adult animals.
Concerning nutrition, one of the most important factors is to ensure that the dog's nutritional requirements are optimally met so that at least their joints are also well supplied. It is also important to adjust the amount of food to the needs of the four-legged friend. Otherwise, there is a risk that being overweight puts additional strain on the dog's joints and increases their likelihood of developing elbow dysplasia.
If your dog puts too much weight on the scales, there is no getting around putting your dog on a diet. In addition to reducing the amount of food, our Shiimun Slim diet powder can help to get your dog's overweight under control in this case.
Support through dietary supplements
Apart from the above-mentioned preventive measures, many dog owners now use special dietary supplements. These products contain certain active ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and collagen, which help to maintain joint function.
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