Elbow Arthritis in Dogs
Elbow arthritis in dogs, commonly called elbow dysplasia, arises from a genetic predisposition. The canine begins to suffer from bone chips in the joint followed by severe arthritics changes. Many dogs will suffer only lameness for their lifespan, but others will have progressive, degenerative arthritis which will render the animal crippled over time.
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Causes
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Inherited, elbow arthritis in dogs appears predominately in intermediate to large breed dogs, according to the Southern California Veterinary Hospital. The disorder arises in German Shepherds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Newfoundlands, Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, the Mastiff and the Labrador Retriever. The elbow appears to develop abnormally during the dog's young life. Over-feeding young dogs, trauma and hormones all seem to aggravate the condition in dogs with a genetic predisposition to elbow dysplasia.
Indications
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Elbow arthritis develops as the last stage in elbow dysplasia. The elbow first may exhibit abnormal cartilage development, failure of the joint to properly fuse which causes an uneven surface to rub together and ongoing inflammation. These are strong indicators that the elbow will go on to develop severe degenerative arthritis over time.
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Symptoms
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Most dogs begin to show symptoms of elbow dysplasia early in life. Symptoms tend to manifest at five to 12 months of age. The dog often begins to exhibit joint stiffness and an inability to get up easily from a laying or sitting position. The dog may hobble or limp as the arthritis progresses. In the beginning, the dog will often exhibit symptoms only in the morning. The dog will show a lack of interest in things it once enjoyed doing such as playing fetch or running. It may also exhibit discomfort jumping from beds or furniture.
Diagnosis
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The veterinarian will perform a physical to evaluate the dog's overall health. He will manually exam the dog's front legs and elbows to localize the pain. The leg often suffers from lack of range of motion so the veterinarian will determine the elbows ability to move, according to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. The veterinarian will order X-rays. CT scans are also used to make a definite diagnosis.
Treatment
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Once elbow arthritis is diagnosed the veterinarian may place the dog on anti-inflammatory medications such as Adequan, Deracoxib or Cosequan. If the dog is overweight then a weight management schedule will be created. Moderate exercise is also beneficial. Surgery may be prescribed if the condition is caught before arthritis sets in.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit loving newfoundland image by Scott Slattery from Fotolia.com
