Elbow dysplasia is the second most common hereditary musculoskeletal disease after hip dysplasia. It is most common in large dogs.
Description of elbow dysplasia
The essence of elbow dysplasia is that the articular surfaces of the arm bone and two forearm bones that make up the elbow joint do not fit together properly.
As a result, tension is created in some places (due to the too tight fit) and instability in other places (due to the too loose fit) in the dysplastic elbow joint. Fitting errors can cause cartilage separations, such as anconeus and coronoid separation, as well as cartilage degeneration (osteochondrosis dissecans). Additionally, degenerative joint disease may develop, accompanied by cartilage wear, cartilage deposits, and arthrosis in the elbow joint.
The mild form of elbow dysplasia presents with mild elbow arthrosis. Severe elbow dysplasia causes cartilage detachment in the elbow joint (anconeus or coronoid detachment, elbow OCD). It also leads to significant elbow joint incongruence (elbow joint step) and severe elbow arthrosis.
Grades of elbow dysplasia
Similar to hip dysplasia is also distinguished:
- From a breeding point of view, a dog with dysplasia
(a dog that carries and inherits the disease, has an inappropriate joint structure (can be confirmed by X-ray), but is asymptomatic and does not need medical treatment) - Clinically dysplasic dog
(a dog that carries and inherits the disease, has an inappropriate joint structure (can be confirmed by X-ray), has a movement disorder due to the disease, is lame, and needs treatment)
From a breeder’s perspective, a dog with mild elbow dysplasia may live without lameness, but it inherits the disease.
Screening and treatment
Preliminary elbow dysplasia screening occurs at 6-7 months, with final screening after one year of age. Elbow dysplasia may cause lameness in puppies aged 5 to 9 months. If not detected early, delayed surgery can lead to irreversible damage affecting the dog’s future mobility and life.
All cases of puppy lameness should be thoroughly investigated (by X-ray), and immediate action should be taken in case of severe dysplasia.
A sign of elbow dysplasia in puppyhood is recurrent lameness in the forelegs, which may improve with painkillers but does not disappear completely.
In addition, swelling of the elbow joints is also noticeable. If these symptoms are noticed, consult a veterinarian immediately. Elbow dysplasia in old age is characterised by recurrent lameness after rest. The dog’s elbow joint is swollen, and stretching as well as bending is restricted or painful. X-rays may show cartilage detachments, cartilage tears and cartilage rim cavities. The veterinarian always recommends surgery for severe cases at a young age. For older dogs, they recommend medication and possibly surgery. It is important to note that for severe elderly elbow arthrosis not operated on at a young age. There are no good surgical solutions, and medication is the only option.
If you feed and move the dog correctly, and provide the right food supplement, you can greatly reduce the chance of developing dysplasia and the aggravation of existing symptoms!
