- What is it?
- Who gets it?
- What are the signs?
- How is it diagnosed?
- Why did this happen to my dog?
- How is it treated?
- Can it be prevented?
- What is the prognosis for my dog?
What Is It?
It is considered the leading cause of canine forelimb lameness. This is a general term meaning arthritis of the elbow, that encompasses several conditions of the elbow joint, including fragmented coronoid process (FCP), ununited anconeal process (UAP), osteochondritis dessicans (OCD), and joint incongruity. All of these are causes of elbow dysplasia but are different conditions with their own distinct pathophysiology.
Fragmented coronoid process (FCP) – a condition in which a small piece of bone on the joint’s inner side breaks off the ulna. The fragment irritates the joint and wears away the cartilage of the humerus.
Ununited anconeal process (UAP) – a condition in which a bone fragment on the joint’s backside has failed to unite with the ulna during growth.
Osteochondritis dessicans (OCD) – a condition in which a piece of cartilage becomes partially or fully detached from the elbow joint’s surface. This results in inflammation of the lining of the joint and causes pain.
Joint incongruity – a condition where the joint does not have the correct conformation, and the cartilage of the joint wear out rapidly. This leads to progressive arthritis.
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Who Gets It?
It primarily affects medium and large-breed dogs, and clinical signs manifest as puppies, usually between 5-8 months of age. However, dogs can be brought in at any age suffering from osteoarthritis secondary to one of the causes of elbow dysplasia.
A high incidence of occurrence has been noted in:
- Bernese Mountain Dogs
- German Shepherds
- Rottweilers
- Golden Retrievers
- Labrador Retriever
Other breeds affected are:
- Newfoundland
- Saint Bernard
- Mastiff
- Springer Spaniel
- Australian Shepherd
- Chow Chow
- Shar-Pei
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Some Terrier breeds
Typically, both elbows are affected, but dysplasia can be unilateral.
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What Are The Signs?
All dogs with this will have forelimb lameness, although the degree may vary. It usually gets worse after exercise, and the animal seems stiff when getting up from resting, and will tire easily. The dog will typically stand with the elbows held close to the body, and the paws rotated outward. The joint(s) may appear thickened or swollen, and the dog may resist the elbow’s manipulation. He/she will have a decreased range of motion, and arthritis often develops in the abnormal joint over time.
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How Is It Diagnosed?
Your veterinarian can diagnose it based on the history, clinical signs, and a complete physical exam, as well as radiographs of the elbow(s). A CT scan and/or arthroscopy may also be performed since they are more accurate than traditional x-rays.
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Why Did This Happen To My Dog?
All forms are hereditary and are genetically inherited rather than caused by injury or trauma. There is also some evidence that nutrition plays a role in its development because diets that promote rapid growth can lead to OCD, one of the causes of elbow dysplasia.
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How Is It Treated?
Because it is a progressive condition, surgery is often the best option for affected dogs, combined with medical management. Dogs with this will benefit from physical therapy and anti-inflammatories. In cases where the dysplasia is due to an ununited anconeal process or fragmented coronoid process, surgery is performed to remove these damaging bone fragments. OCD and FCP can also be treated with arthroscopic surgery. In cases where joint incongruity – the bones’ failure to grow synchronously – is the cause, surgery may be performed to alter the radius and ulna’s lengths and curvature.
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Can It Be Prevented?
It is primarily an inherited disorder, so responsible and selective breeding is important. For breeds prone to this condition, feeding a diet that promotes slow, steady growth rather than rapid growth is critical. As with any orthopedic condition, disease progression can be slowed with proper weight management, which will decrease stress on the joint and slow the joint’s development. If your dog is diagnosed with elbow dysplasia, regular veterinary exams are important for monitoring the disease’s progression.
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What Is the Prognosis For My Dog?
If your dog is a candidate for surgery, the best prognosis comes with early treatment. Many dogs with this can function well as pets, but even after surgery will not be suitable for working or agility dogs. If arthroscopic surgery is performed, most dogs will begin using the limb the same day as the surgery, and after 2-3 months, the dog should be using the limb well, and lameness is significantly reduced. Recovery is somewhat variable between dogs, especially if arthritis is present. Most of the dogs with an ununited anconeal process will be helped with surgery – about 60% return to normal function, 30% are improved, while 10% do not improve with surgery. Approximately 75% of the dogs with a fragmented coronoid process or OCD of the elbow will benefit from surgery. Because surgery will not remove arthritis that is already present in the joint, some pets may have some stiffness or lameness after very heavy exercise or during cool, damp weather conditions. Additionally, dogs that have dramatically swollen elbows before surgery tend to have a lower success rate.
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