Finding out that your dog has elbow dysplasia can feel completely devastating. Elbow dysplasia in dogs is hereditary, the abnormal development of the elbow joint causes misalignment of the forearm bones. Even if you don’t know exactly what elbow dysplasia looks like in your dog, you probably know that it’s incurable and can have a major impact on your dog’s life. Understanding which dogs are more susceptible to elbow dysplasia, as well as the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options will help you determine what’s going on with your dog more quickly, thus making changes. their lifespan and overall quality of life!
Certain dog breeds have a higher risk of elbow dysplasia
Educating yourself about which breeds are more susceptible to elbow dysplasia can be especially helpful in your initial search for the perfect dog. This information may steer you away from certain breeds or change the medical standards you require before bringing a new family member home, such as requiring an X-ray before receiving one. adopted child. These considerations should be handled based on your lifestyle, including the activities you want to share with your child. Need your dog to be extremely active and agile? Are you comfortable with this diagnostic ability? Will your dog be a working dog? How will this diagnosis change the way you and your dog live together, and is the potential financial burden of this illness manageable within your pet parent’s budget? Here is a list of dog breeds considered to be at higher risk for elbow dysplasia:
- German Shepherd Dog
- Labrador Retrievers
- Rottweilers
- Gold recovery
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Newfoundlands
Elbow dysplasia is an inherited disease and medium to large breed dogs are more susceptible than smaller breeds. Dogs affected by this condition will likely show symptoms before their first birthday, meaning this is not an illness exclusive to older dogs.
Signs of Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs
To understand the signs and symptoms of elbow dysplasia, it’s important to understand what happens to dogs with elbow dysplasia. Dogs with elbow dysplasia have abnormal pressure on the joint and wear down the cartilage (which cushions the joint), leading to severe joint degeneration. More often than not, both elbows are affected by this disease. Signs of elbow dysplasia in dogs include:
- The most common symptom for elbow dysplasia includes limping or limping (the elbow joint rests on the dog’s front leg.) While some forearm deformities will be easy to spot, front-leg lameness. could be more complicated.
- Forehead lameness is often accompanied by some head bobbing. This limp may be more present after your dog is physically active or waking up from sleep.
- Low tolerance for long walks or high endurance exercise such as running or hiking.
- Reduced range of motion or flexibility at the elbow joint
- The dog was in pain during the orthopedic examination
- The dog is “stiff” when walking or getting up
If you notice these symptoms, take your dog to the vet to determine next steps.
Diagnosis of elbow dysplasia in dogs
If your veterinarian suspects elbow dysplasia in your dog, several diagnoses will take place before a formal diagnosis can be made. That is:
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Test
The first diagnosis for symptoms associated with elbow dysplasia is almost always a physical and chiropractic examination. During the chiropractic examination, your dog’s veterinarian will evaluate your dog’s flexion and extension in each joint, looking for pain, swelling, or loss of range of motion. This evaluation should always be done by a veterinarian! She can also perform gait analysis, including observing how your dog walks both away and toward your vet.
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Radiographic photography
After a thorough physical and orthopedic examination has been performed on your dog and if elbow dysplasia is still suspected, your veterinarian will perform an X-ray. X-rays may be taken while your dog is awake during the examination or your dog may require a mild sedative for proper positioning. Depending, your veterinarian may send the images to a board-certified veterinary radiologist to confirm the diagnosis.
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CT scan
Some types of elbow dysplasia may require further testing, including a CT scan (computerized tomography scan). This process collects a series of X-ray images and then uses computer processing to provide insights that are much more advanced than standard radiographs. A CT scan will be significantly more expensive than an X-ray, which typically costs between $1,500 and $2,000.
How to manage elbow dysplasia in dogs
There is no official “cure” for elbow dysplasia. However, while there is no cure for elbow dysplasia, there are many non-surgical ways you can assist your dog in managing the disease. Here are four of them:
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Therapeutic Methods
Methods such as acupuncture, massage, laser therapy, or ultrasound can help relieve the primary and compensatory pain associated with your dog’s elbow dysplasia. In other words, these strategies help identify areas of your dog’s body that may be overactive to offset elbow pain and aid in keeping the entire body healthy.
Some of the ways that these elbow dysplasia treatment modalities help include:
- Identify and reduce areas of inflammation
- Reduce discomfort
- Improved flexibility and range of motion
- Increase blood circulation and nutrients to muscles
- Reduces wear and tear and muscle atrophy
Many veterinarians will offer one or more of the above in their clinic. In addition, there are many mobile practitioners popping up around the country who provide these services in the homes of pets and pet parents. Sites like American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association There is a special search engine to find a practitioner in your town!
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Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is a great, low-impact exercise for dogs with elbow dysplasia! This is easily one of the least painful options for exercising these puppies and can be a great way to boost the mental health of dogs who love to swim! Hydrotherapy helps maintain strong and healthy muscle tone and reduce muscle weakness. It also improves range of motion and flexibility. Hydrotherapy options include a dog pool, whirlpool, or water treadmill.
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Weight Management
Weight management is important for all dogs with joint disease, including elbow dysplasia. Minimizing extra weight on the affected elbow joints is a relatively easy way to relieve pain and slow the onset of osteoarthritis and osteoarthritis.
Incorporating a manageable exercise routine to good effect for your dog will be an important aspect of weight management. Exercise for dogs with elbow dysplasia will vary depending on the severity of each dog’s case, overall health, the experience they find enjoyable, and the parent’s tolerance and lifestyle. pet. Even a short walk twice daily is helpful in losing weight.
Tracking calories is another key component to weight management. Trading in commercial treats for dehydrated root vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and chickpeas is a great way to incorporate healthy, low-fat treats into your puppy’s daily routine. friend. If your dog loves to eat, consider a dinnertime food quiz, or even freeze their dinner in Petsafe Chilly Penguin Freezable Treat Holder or Toppl to enhance entertainment and prolong meal time.
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Diet therapy
While there is no specific diet to prevent or treat elbow dysplasia, certain diets are better than others for dogs with elbow dysplasia!
According to a holistic veterinarian and Canine Certified Rehabilitation Therapist, Dr. Angie Krause, a diet high in omegas is best for dogs with elbow dysplasia. Additionally, a less processed diet is likely to reduce systemic inflammation, which is paramount for dogs with joint disease. Highly processed diets include kibble, while alternatives include canned foods or even AAFCO balance a raw and cooked diet at home. Omega-rich diets include salmon, anchovies, or sardines.
Your dog does not develop elbow dysplasia because of anything you do wrong or incorrectly! This is an inherited disease caused by genetic factors. You can’t change your dog’s diagnosis, but you can change his course of life through careful monitoring and lifestyle adaptations.
