Elbow dysplasia in dogs – signs and treatment
Book a vet visitBook a vet appointment if you think your dog has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. It is a condition in a dog's elbows that causes swelling, pain and eventually arthritis.
What you can do now
- Contact your vet
- Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see
- Take a photo or short video to show the vet
- Let your dog rest somewhere calm
- Do not wait if it gets worse
Don't
- Do not give any human medicine
- Do not wait if it gets worse
What it is
Elbow dysplasia is a condition that causes swelling, pain and eventually arthritis.[1] It can make movement and activity harder, with signs such as limping or stiffness and less enthusiasm for walks or play.[1] Elbow dysplasia is often hereditary and most commonly affects medium to large breed dogs.[1]
Signs
Causes and risk factors
How vets treat it
- Surgery
- Anti-inflammatories
- Pain relief
- Hospitalisation
- Rest
- Weight control
Breeds prone to this
Veterinary charities list these breeds as more likely than others to get this condition. Each breed page lists the inherited conditions documented in the breed.
German ShepherdWhat the experts say
“If your dog has elbow dysplasia, there are a few different treatment options. Your vet may prescribe anti-inflammatories and other pain relief for your dog. Weight control is vitally important for a dog with elbow dysplasia.”
Not sure how serious it is?
OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.
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Common questions
What are the signs of elbow dysplasia in dogs?
Signs can include limping or stiffness, less enthusiasm to go for walks or play, front paws pointing outwards, elbows held at a strange angle, and swollen, puffy elbows in severe cases.[1]
Is elbow dysplasia hereditary?
Elbow dysplasia is often hereditary and most commonly affects medium to large breed dogs.[1]
How may a vet treat elbow dysplasia?
A vet may prescribe anti-inflammatories and other pain relief, and weight control is vitally important for a dog with elbow dysplasia.[1]
Sources
How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages
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