How to Deal with Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs
To deal with elbow dysplasia in your dog, try to exercise it regularly with light activities, like walking or swimming, to keep its joints loose and reduce inflammation. You can also keep your dog warm with a heating pad or blanket to soothe its joint pain. Additionally, try to keep your dog at a healthy weight to avoid putting extra stress on its joints. If your dog eats a lot of protein, consider reducing this, as excess protein has been linked to elbow dysplasia.
Look for signs of stiffness or pain. This most often occurs in young dogs with elbow dysplasia. When dogs stand, sit, or lay down after spending time in one position, they may make noises or strain to shift positions. Some dogs favor one or the other side, and others seem to plop down to avoid long amounts of pressure on their joints. Watch as your dog's position changes, and make note of struggling or odd behavior. Evaluate changes in gait. Dogs with elbow dysplasia may begin to run and walk differently. This can be a limp or simply leaning more to one side than the other. If you notice a change in your dog's walk, this can be indicative of elbow dysplasia. Monitor your dog’s activity levels. If you notice your dog is sleeping more often, doesn't want to play as much, or seems to take breaks more frequently on walks, this can be caused by a number of health concerns, but combined with the other warning signs of elbow dysplasia, this may be indicative of joint health concerns. Listen to your dog’s vocal cues. You many notice your dog whining, groaning, panting, or even growling when weight is put on joints. Pay specific attention to your dog as it stands up and lays down as transferring weight on the elbows may be especially uncomfortable. If your dog regularly makes these noises, this may be a sign of elbow dysplasia. Examine the elbows. In most cases, one or both joints will rotate in towards the dog's body. You may not be able to recognize this change, but a veterinarian will notice it right away. However, it's important to take your dog to the vet if you do see this shift in position, even if your dog isn't limping or having other difficulties. Typically, dog's elbows point back, toward the tail. Dogs with elbow dysplasia may begin to show signs of the elbows leaning in towards the body. Note limb lameness. Elbow dysplasia is the leading cause of front leg immobility, especially in very young dogs. If you notice your dog is unable to bend or move one or both front limbs, this is a significant indicator that the dog is suffering from elbow dysplasia. You should visit the vet right away. Take your dog to the vet. Your pet's doctor will visually examine the front legs, move the limbs to see if they are capable of a full range of motion, and capture x-rays. Some dogs present signs of dysplasia in x-rays even without any symptoms or resulting effects. However, if you've noticed your dog limping or showing other signs of pain or discomfort, the next step will be treatment planning and ongoing care in partnership with your vet. Give your dog pain medication. Over the counter or prescription pain relievers may be recommended by your veterinarian. If you choose to rely on a non-prescription medication, consider a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). You can find these in name brand and generic varieties, and NSAIDs are typically available from about five dollars a bottle. Your vet may also prescribe steroids, cortisones, or chondroprotectants. Ask your vet before beginning any medicinal treatment plan. Prescription medications are available in pill form or as direct joint injections. For mature dogs, chondroprotectants have proved helpful in treating degenerative joint disorders. Add supplements to your dog’s diet. You can add natural supplements including glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids to your dog's food. You can purchase these supplements in a variety of forms in most health food stores and pharmacies. These supplements are all nutraceuticals; a combination of foods and pharmaceuticals that deliver essential nutrients via the dog's diet. The research has not yet confirmed it, but anecdotal evidence to glucosamine and chondroitin indicate that these supplements decrease inflammation and promote joint health. Omega 3's and other fatty acids offer pets advanced regenerative properties. That means when developmental issues or dysplasia damage bone or supportive tissues, omega 3's can help your dog rebuild them. Make sure the dog gets enough exercise. You may want to ask your veterinarian before having your dog change or increase their exercise. Walking on a variety of up and down hill inclines can help keep your dog's joints loose and reduce inflammation. Swimming is a low impact exercise that will allow your pet to keep joints moving without the undo stress caused by the impact of walking or running. Ask your vet for specific recommendations, but typically, if you increase the amount of exercise gradually, your dog will respond positively. Start by adding five or ten minutes onto a walk, or varying incline during your walk. Stop if your dog ever seems tired, whimpers, pants, or otherwise indicates discomfort. Keep your dog warm. Allowing your dog to lay on a heating pad or blanket can significantly reduce inflammation and sooth joint pain. Simply making sure your dog maintains a consistent temperature will improve joint function. Significant changes from hot to cold cause the cartilage, muscles, and other tissues to expand and contract leading to discomfort. Keep dogs with elbow dysplasia in a temperature controlled house, garage, or other area to ensure consistent body temperature day and night. If you're taking your dog outside in the cold, put a sweater or leg warmers on to keep their joints warm. If your dog is panting, coughing, or drooling, it may be overheated. Bring your dog water and remove heat sources, if this happens. Massage your dog. This can relieve pain and inflammation in the joints. Start by petting the area of the leg and elbow. Then, cross your hands one over the other and gently pump up and down similar to CPR compressions. Be careful and don't push directly on the bones. After a few minutes of pumping, gently pet the joint. Then, switch to the other leg. Get intra-articular injections for your dog. These shots use your dog's own blood plasma to help relieve the effects of elbow dysplasia including inflammation and assist the joints to develop properly. These treatments are best used in conjunction with other methods such as exercise therapy for younger dogs. Make movement less painful. If your dog has to go up and down stairs, this can stress or damage the elbow joints. You may want to consider having a ramp put in place to help your dog enter and exit the home. You can also purchase portable ramps that can be used to help dogs get in and out of cars as well as up and down short sets of stairs. Living in a home with carpeting or putting down rugs can also decrease impact of walking, standing, and other movements for your dog. Make your dog’s bed comfortable. The goal of your bet's sleeping area should be to provide support for the joints, so there is no pressure or strain on the elbows while your dog sleeps. Cushions also reduce the pressure on elbows and other joints when your dog gets up and down from sleeping postures. A bed that's low to the ground is best, so your dog does not overexert the elbow joints when getting in or out of their bed. Keep your dog at a healthy weight. Excess weight puts stress on all of the joints and can increase the effects of elbow dysplasia. Ask your vet what a healthy weight is for your dog before beginning a diet or other weight loss plan. You don't want your dog to be undernourished. Additionally, be careful with your exercise routine as exertion may further damage your dog's joints. Sometimes decreasing food intake or removing treats from the diet is effective. In other cases, you may have to change to a weight management food. However, many of the dog foods specifically for weight loss include high amounts of protein that can damage joints, so check the ingredients first. Change your dog’s food. In some cases, too much protein has been linked to elbow, hip, and other forms of dysplasia in dogs. Making use of dietary fatty acids can dramatically improve your dog's bone and joint development and overall health. Ask a veterinarian for recommendations of foods that will provide an adequate combination of nutrients. You can also look for foods that offer benefits for joint health and improved flexibility. Weight management dog foods typically take your dog's joints into consideration. If you find a dog food that claims to help control weight, it will likely also provide joint support. Look for dog foods that promote omega three fatty acids, glucosamine, and other anti-inflammatory ingredients. You may also want to consider prescription dog foods from your vet for the best results. Take your dog to physiotherapy. These treatments are completed by trained professionals and can include a combination of any number of exercise therapies, massage, and medications. Your vet may recommend physiotherapy as an alternative to surgery or to help you dog recover from more advanced surgical treatments. Like human physiotherapy, the goal of physiotherapy for your dog is to restore the full range of movement to damaged joint, muscles, or bones. Your dog's physiotherapist may recommend alternative treatments like massage or acupuncture to relieve pain. Be open to these solutions. Canine chiropractors often offer this type of treatment planning. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations, if your dog does not experience effective relief with more traditional treatment. Consider surgery. If the problem is progressed, advanced medical procedures may be necessary to relieve the pain the animal is feeling. Not every dog is a good candidate for surgery. Most juvenile or adolescent aged dogs will be recommended for surgery, as they are likely to heal from the procedure. More mature dogs whose joints are no longer stable due to arthritic degeneration will also likely be recommended for surgery as stabilizing the joints is essential to regular daily function. However, if the mature dog's joints are stable despite the presence of elbow dysplasia, surgery may make the situation worse and is typically avoided. Total elbow replacement (TER) may be necessary in the most severe cases. It is the complete replacement of the elbow to restructure the joint correctly. Sliding humeral osteotomy (SHO) is necessary when there is severe inflammation related to osteoarthritis. It requires the cutting of the humerus and the connection of a bone plate that repositions the elbow to fit together properly. Canine unicompartmental elbow replacement (CUE) is an alternative to SHO or TER for mature dogs who will not respond well to a more advanced procedure. CUE smooths the bone on the inside of the dog's elbow where the lack of cartilage has caused pain, inflammation, or joint damage. 
Look for signs of stiffness or pain. Evaluate changes in gait. Monitor your dog’s activity levels. Listen to your dog’s vocal cues. Examine the elbows. Note limb lameness. Take your dog to the vet. Give your dog pain medication. Add supplements to your dog’s diet. Make sure the dog gets enough exercise. Keep your dog warm. Massage your dog. Get intra-articular injections for your dog. Make movement less painful. Make your dog’s bed comfortable. Keep your dog at a healthy weight. Change your dog’s food. Take your dog to physiotherapy. Consider surgery. 