Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs

Category: Bone & Joint
Inheritance: Multifactorial
Breeds documented: 50
Published sources: 26

Overview

Elbow dysplasia covers several problems that develop as the elbow joint grows. The three bones forming the joint may fit poorly, or parts of the bone and cartilage may develop abnormally. This puts uneven pressure on the joint and can lead to pain, limping, and arthritis. One or both front legs may be affected, and signs can become harder to spot when both elbows hurt.

Signs to watch for

Front-leg limping, especially after activity
Less interest in walks or exercise
Shorter steps when walking
Paws turned inward with elbows held outward
Swelling around an elbow

Signs often begin from about 5 months; some dogs are diagnosed years later.

When to get help Book a vet visit when front-leg limping or reluctance to exercise appears.

Diagnosis and tests

Vets watch the dog walk and examine how comfortably its elbows bend and straighten. X-rays of both elbows look for abnormal bone and arthritis. A CT scan or arthroscopy, a camera examination inside the joint, may reveal more detail. Screening breeding dogs with elbow X-rays helps guide breeding decisions.

Breeds with documented risk

50 breeds

By breed size

5 Small
24 Medium
13 Large
8 Giant

All 50 breeds, A to Z

Bernese Mountain Dog
Bracco Italiano
Braque D'auvergne Source saksanseisojakerho.fi
Braque Du Bourbonnais Source jalostus.kennelliitto.fi
Broholmer Source broholmeren.dk
Bullmastiff

Chow Chow
Cão De Fila De São Miguel Source skk.se

Dogue De Bordeaux
Dorgi Source petmd.com

Estrela Mountain Dog

Fila Brasileiro Source api.ofa.org
Finnish Hound Source ajokoirajarjesto.fi
Finnish Lapphund

Hanoverian Scenthound Source skk.se

Kishu Ken

Labrador Retriever
Lapponian Herder Source kennelliitto.fi

Newfoundland

Polish Tatra Sheepdog Source podhalanski.fi
Presa Canario

Sarplaninac Source palveluskoiraliitto.fi
Shepadoodle Source petmd.com
Sheprador Source petmd.com
Slovak Cuvac Source bin.yhdistysavain.fi
Slovensky Kopov Source skk.se
Spinone Italiano Source spinone-italiano.it
Stabyhoun Source nvsw.nl
Standard Aussiedoodle Source petmd.com
Standard Australian Labradoodle
Standard Bernedoodle
Standard Schnoodle Source petmd.com
Swedish Lapphund Source lappalaiskoirat.fi

Inheritance

Multifactorial
Several genes and the environment together set the risk. Diet, growth rate, weight and exercise can all play a part. There is no single DNA test. Screening the parents (for example hip or elbow scores) and choosing from lines with good results lowers the risk, but does not remove it.
As stated by OMIA

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.