Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs: Signs, Diagnosis and Vet Care

Elbow dysplasia in dogs is a condition where one or both elbow joints develop abnormally while a puppy is growing, causing pain, swelling and instability, and often leading to arthritis, according to the PDSA. It mainly affects medium to large breeds, with signs usually starting in the first year or two. If your young dog is limping on a front leg, speak to your vet.

At a glance

• What it is: abnormal development of the elbow joint during growth, affecting one or both elbows.
• Who it affects: mainly medium to large breeds, usually showing signs as growing dogs.
• Urgency: soon. Speak to your vet when you first notice stiffness or limping.
• Vet needed? Yes. It needs a vet’s diagnosis, and usually lifelong management.

Signs to look for

The PDSA lists:

• limping or stiffness, usually worse after exercise (hard to spot if both elbows are affected)
• less interest in walks or play
• front paws pointing outwards, or elbows held at an unusual angle
• swollen, puffy elbows in severe cases

The PDSA says signs usually start between 5 and 18 months old, while Davies Veterinary Specialists says 6 to 10 months is the most common age. Davies adds that some dogs only show signs as middle-aged or older adults, once arthritis has set in.

Causes and risk factors

Davies explains that the elbow bones fit together imperfectly, which creates areas of high pressure inside the joint. The PDSA says the condition is often hereditary and develops during growth. It also says “too much of the wrong exercise” and a diet that doesn’t suit a puppy’s size, breed and age can make problems more likely.

The PDSA names Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, German Shepherd Dogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Newfoundlands and Basset Hounds as examples of breeds affected.

When to call your vet

Speak to your vet if your dog shows any of the signs above. The PDSA also suggests asking your vet about feeding and exercise while a puppy of an at-risk breed is growing, and discussing elbow screening before buying or breeding a dog. If you’re not sure how urgent your dog’s limp is, ring and speak to your vet. You can find a practice with our guide to finding a vet near you, and our sick dog symptoms guide can help you describe what you’re seeing.

How vets diagnose it

Davies Veterinary Specialists says X-rays are usually the first test and readily confirm one form (an ununited anconeal process), but other forms can’t always be told apart on X-ray. For those, “the most reliable non-surgical test” is a CT scan, and arthroscopy (looking inside the joint with a tiny camera) is also very reliable. A Royal Veterinary College study found CT and arthroscopy can give contradictory information, and a normal result doesn’t rule out lesions. The BVA also notes that many affected dogs don’t limp, so lameness isn’t a reliable guide. Which tests your dog needs is your vet’s decision.

What vets generally do about it

Treatment is decided by your vet. The PDSA describes pain relief (including prescribed anti-inflammatories), weight control, controlled exercise and rest when painful, with surgery for severe cases, usually through referral to a specialist hospital. Davies says surgery often involves removing loose fragments or damaged cartilage, preferably by arthroscopy, but that it isn’t always recommended. It reports good improvement in 60 to 70% of dogs after one type of fragment removal, though not every dog responds. Davies also says arthritis develops in all cases as dogs get older, and that surgery doesn’t prevent it.

Living with it and prevention

The PDSA says symptoms often continue throughout life. Once your vet has advised, everyday management can include short, regular lead walks, avoiding jumping, skidding and long periods of running, and keeping your dog lean (the PDSA calls weight control “vitally important”). The PDSA also mentions physiotherapy and hydrotherapy as things to ask your vet about. Our guides to how long dogs live and pet insurance may help with planning long-term care.

On prevention, the PDSA says the only way is to avoid breeding from affected dogs, so if you’re buying a pedigree puppy, ask the breeder for elbow scores.

Related conditions

• Hip dysplasia
• Arthritis
• Obesity
• Cruciate ligament disease
• Luxating patella

Back to the dog illnesses and conditions A-Z.

Specialist help

The BVA/Kennel Club Elbow Scheme grades each elbow from 0 to 3 (0 is radiographically normal) using X-rays, for dogs at least a year old and microchipped. It recommends breeding only from dogs with a grade of 0, and notes that good grades reduce risk but don’t remove it. Your vet submits the X-rays.

Sources

• PDSA, Elbow dysplasia in dogs
• Davies Veterinary Specialists, Elbow dysplasia fact sheet
• British Veterinary Association, Canine Health Schemes: Elbow Scheme
• Moores, Benigni and Lamb, Computed tomography versus arthroscopy for detection of canine elbow dysplasia lesions, Veterinary Surgery (2008)

This page is general information, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog, speak to your vet. Written by Georgiana & Figo, who are dog owners, not vets. Have a look around Calmshops for everyday dog essentials.