Elbow dysplasia, an inherited disease, tends to affect intermediate and large breed dogs. The term describes arthritis of the elbow joint that may cause it to become misaligned. Some dogs experience occasional lameness, and more extreme cases cause permanent lameness.
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Abnormal Gait
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The first sign of elbow dysplasia is an abnormal gait. The dog may display excessive paddling or flipping of the front feet. He might hold his elbows tucked in or out. Often, the pet will stand with his feet rotated outwards.
Activity Level
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A change in your pet's activity level can also be a sign. The dog may appear more lazy or quiet than normal. He might play for shorter periods of time and sit or lie down more than usual. He may tend to tire quickly and might even appear stiff when rising.
Exercise Problems
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Exercise can make the pet lame or worsen existing lameness. If the dysplasia affects just one elbow the dog might work around the injury, but in cases that are bilateral (in both elbows), the pet might favor one side over the other depending on its pain level. The dog may also attempt to not use the hurt leg at all and carry himself on three instead of all four legs.
Weight Problems
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A dog's weight can make the pain worse. The more the dog weighs, the more his gait may change to accommodate the injury. This change in stance alleviates the pressure for a while, but it is not a solution to the degenerative problem.
Physical Examination
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When the owner attempts to examine the elbow, the dog often resists manipulation of the joint. If the vet can get close enough to palpate the area, he may feel swelling. The vet might hear and feel a "grating," referred to as crepitus, when moving the joint. Swelling can be worse after exercise, and in some cases there might be joint thickness and even muscle atrophy.
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