Dog Rough Elbows: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Dog rough elbows can be a real concern for many pet owners. They're a common issue, especially in older dogs.

One of the main causes of dog rough elbows is osteoarthritis. This degenerative joint disease can lead to cartilage breakdown and bone-on-bone contact, causing painful rubbing and inflammation.

As dogs age, their joints naturally wear down, making them more susceptible to osteoarthritis. This is why older dogs are more likely to develop rough elbows.

Symptoms of dog rough elbows include redness, swelling, and a grating sound when the joint is moved.

Hyperkeratosis is a condition that occurs in dogs when their body produces too much keratin, a type of protein that makes up the skin, hair, and nails.

This excess keratin appears as thickened dry calluses on their paw pads, which can also be accompanied by furry protrusions.

Hyperkeratosis can affect other areas too, such as the bridge of the nose and pressure points where calluses form, like the elbows.

Related reading: Prevent Dog Elbow Calluses

It's not a medical emergency, but can cause discomfort if the hardened skin cracks or leads to a secondary skin infection.

In most cases, dogs with hyperkeratosis can be seen by their veterinarian during normal business hours, and it's best to get them checked within a couple of weeks of noticing symptoms.

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Dogs develop calluses on their elbows due to pressure or friction, often caused by lying down and resting their weight on poorly-padded joints.

Large and giant breed dogs, such as Great Danes and Newfoundlands, are more prone to elbow calluses because of their weight and body structure.

These dogs tend to lie down and rest on hard surfaces, which can cause skin trauma and lead to callus formation over time.

Giant breed dogs are more likely to develop calluses on the side of their leg or the hocks due to pressure from lying down.

Dogs with deep chests, like Doberman Pinschers and Boxers, are also more prone to developing calluses on their chest, especially if they lie on rough surfaces.

A fresh viewpoint: Treat Elbow Calluses

Dogs develop calluses due to pressure or friction, which is why they're most common on the elbows.

The elbow is a pressure point for dogs because the bone is close to the surface, making it prone to callus formation. This is especially true for giant breed dogs that have a lot of weight resting on their elbows.

Giant breeds like Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, Newfoundlands, and St. Bernards are more likely to develop elbow calluses due to their size and weight.

On a similar theme: Treat Dog Elbow Callus

Dogs of all sizes can get pressure sores, but larger breeds are more prone to them due to excess pressure from their size and weight.

Some breeds are more likely to get pressure sores, including Great Danes, Mastiffs, and Basset Hounds. These breeds often have bony protrusions, such as elbows, hips, and hocks, where pressure sores can develop.

Larger breeds with dense double coats, like Irish Wolfhounds and Bernese Mountain Dogs, can also get elbow calluses due to their size.

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Overweight and obese dogs, regardless of breed, are more likely to develop pressure sores. Even smaller breeds like Pugs and Dachshunds can be prone to carrying excess weight and developing elbow calluses.

Here are some breeds that are more likely to get pressure sores:

And here are some breeds that are more likely to get elbow calluses due to their size and dense double coats:

Dog rough elbows can be a common issue for many pet owners. Calluses on a dog's elbow are usually well defined and round in shape.

They are often hairless, thickened, and slightly raised, which can make them stand out on your dog's skin. Healthy calluses are typically soft and not irritated or sore, but they may appear pink or pigmented, and be wrinkled or smooth.

If you notice a soft, painless lump on your dog's elbow, it could be an elbow hygroma, which is a fluid-filled cavity caused by excessive pressure. In severe cases, an infected callus may develop a large ulcer or draining tract, which can lead to deep bacterial infections.

Here are the key characteristics of a callus on a dog's elbow:

Dog elbow calluses are a pretty common issue, and it's good to know what they look like so you can identify them early on. A well-defined, round callus is usually hairless and thickened, with a slightly raised texture.

These calluses can be pink or pigmented, and they might be wrinkled or smooth. They're not typically painful or sore, but they can be a bit unsightly.

In some cases, the callus and surrounding area may swell slightly. If you notice a soft, painless lump, it's worth checking if it's an elbow hygroma, which is a fluid-filled cavity caused by excessive pressure.

A callus can become an infected callus if it's not properly cared for, which can lead to a large ulcer or draining tract. This can put your dog at risk for deep bacterial infections.

Here are some key characteristics of dog elbow calluses:

It's worth noting that crusty elbows in dogs are often caused by thickened and dried elbow calluses.

Elbow calluses themselves are not painful for dogs.

If they become infected, elbow calluses can be quite painful, and your dog may show signs such as licking the elbow or limping.

DogLeggs provides special pads and braces to help dogs with calluses and orthopedic issues, including hock and elbow pads that are comfortable for dogs and can prevent further trauma to the callus.

Providing a padded bed or a soft blanket over the area your dog typically sleeps on can help relieve skin trauma at pressure points.

Senior dogs may develop excess calluses, so applying a moisturizing balm to their paw pads, nose, and elbows can be helpful in keeping their skin soft and free of cracks.

For dogs that are predisposed to elbow calluses, special elbow pads can be used to prevent skin trauma. These elbow pads should be made of soft material and fit snugly around the elbow without being too tight.

Breeds like English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers are prone to hyperkeratosis, which can lead to elbow calluses, so consider using elbow pads to prevent skin trauma.

Here are some breeds that are commonly affected by hyperkeratosis:

Treatment for dog rough elbows is focused on maintaining overall skin health and preventing ulcers and infection.

Remedies often involve creating a treatment plan with your vet, and may include using topical medications to decrease inflammation and treat infected areas.

Surgery is typically considered a last resort, especially since calluses are often located over high-motion joints, making it difficult for incisions to heal well.

However, in some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove severely infected elbow calluses, but postoperative care can be challenging due to the risk of surgical breakdown and poor wound healing.

To reduce the risk of infection and promote healing, your vet may recommend using antibiotics, such as cephalexin, Clavamox, or cefpodoxime, and continuing treatment until at least a week beyond the clinical resolution of infection.

In some cases, hydrotherapy with daily warm water baths may be enough to heal mild callus dermatitis, and soaking the callus in an Epsom salt solution can help with inflammation.

If your dog's elbow callus is not infected and is not bothering them, no treatment may be necessary, but regular monitoring is still important to catch any potential issues early on.

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Hyperkeratosis, also known as callus formation, is a common condition in dogs that affects their skin, particularly on their elbows, nose, and paw pads. It's a genetic condition that can also be influenced by age, with senior dogs over 8 years old being more prone to it.

Hyperkeratosis can cause thickened, excess callused skin on these areas, which can be a sign of an underlying condition. Your vet may run some baseline tests to rule out diseases like Pemphigus foliaceus, lupus erythematosus, Cushing’s disease, canine distemper virus, and zinc deficiency, which can cause similar symptoms.

Some breeds, such as English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs, are more likely to experience hyperkeratosis due to their brachycephalic features. These breeds often develop calluses on their nose and paw pads, while senior dogs may develop calluses on their elbows due to constant pressure on thin skin.

Common breeds that experience hyperkeratosis include:

Hyperkeratosis is a common condition in many dog breeds, particularly those with brachycephalic features such as English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs. These breeds often experience hyperkeratosis on their nose and sometimes their paws.

The condition is usually a genetic one, which means there's little you can do to prevent it in predisposed dogs. However, senior dogs may develop excess calluses due to repeat pressure over thin skin.

Some breeds, like Labrador Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, and Irish Terriers, are also prone to hyperkeratosis. This condition can also appear as hard hairy skin on the elbows in senior animals.

Here are some breeds that are commonly affected by hyperkeratosis:

It's essential to note that while hyperkeratosis is usually a genetic condition, it can sometimes be a sign of an underlying health issue.

Dysplasia is a condition where abnormal cells grow in a part of the body, often leading to cancer.

In some cases, dysplasia can be caused by a genetic mutation, which can be inherited or occur spontaneously.

Dysplasia is often detected through imaging tests, such as X-rays or CT scans, but it can also be found during surgery or biopsy.

There are several types of dysplasia, including cervical, esophageal, and vaginal dysplasia.

The symptoms of dysplasia can vary depending on the location and severity of the condition, but may include pain, bleeding, or difficulty swallowing.

In some cases, dysplasia can be treated with medication or surgery to remove the affected cells.

The risk of developing dysplasia increases with age, and certain factors such as smoking or human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can also contribute to the development of the condition.