What Is Gastroenteritis in Dogs?

Gastroenteritis in dogs is defined as an inflammation of a dog’s stomach (gastro-) and small intestine (-enteritis). In simple terms, gastroenteritis is an upset stomach. Pet parents might use the term “dog stomach bug” to describe this kind of illness, but the possible causes go beyond a viral infection.

If your dog has bloody diarrhea or vomit, go to the emergency vet immediately, as these are signs of acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS).

Acute Hemorrhagic Diarrhea Syndrome (AHDS) / Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE)

Acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome, also known as hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE), is a specific and critical form of enteritis. It is a medical emergency and one of the most serious causes of diarrhea in dogs.

AHDS can be fatal—your dog can become septic (caused by a dangerous infection in the bloodstream), lose too much protein, or experience complications.

Dogs affected with this disease have been shown to have inflammation of only the intestines, not the stomach. If you suspect your dog has AHDS, take them to the vet immediately.

Symptoms of Gastroenteritis in Dogs

Take your dog to the emergency vet if you see the signs of AHDS:

Sudden onset of bloody diarrhea with no known cause, such as a change in diet

Vomiting, with or without blood

Lethargy  (moving slowly, sluggish)

Call your vet if your dog is showing any signs of gastroenteritis:

Sudden vomiting

Sudden diarrhea

Lethargy

Dogs suffering from gastroenteritis exhibit a sudden onset of vomiting and/or diarrhea and may lose a large volume of body fluids and electrolytes. This can cause dehydration. Monitor your dog’s hydration and activity level.

If your dog is dehydrated and/or lethargic, go to the emergency vet. This indicates a more serious situation that needs immediate treatment.

You can check for dehydration by gently lifting the skin on the back of your dog’s neck. If it stays raised and doesn’t go back to place quickly, your dog is probably dehydrated.

Another tip to test your dog for dehydration: press on your dog’s gums, which should turn from white back to pink within 2 seconds. If the pink takes any longer to come back, your dog is probably dehydrated.

Other signs of dehydration include:

Panting

Dry nose and eyes

Dry, pasty gums and thick saliva

Loss of appetite

Loss of skin elasticity (when you pull your dog’s skin and it is slow to snap back)

Causes of Gastroenteritis and AHDS in Dogs

Gastroenteritis in dogs can be caused by many underlying issues. Your vet can run diagnostic tests to help you figure out why your dog is sick. Some possible causes include:

Dietary indiscretion (meaning your dog ate something they shouldn’t, such as fatty food, food that’s gone bad, or inedible objects)

Gastric ulcers

Toxins

Cancer

Kidney failure

Liver failure

Bacterial infection, such as clostridium, campylobacter, salmonella, or E. coli

Viral infection, such as parvovirus, coronavirus, or distemper

Parasites

Food allergies

The exact cause of AHDS remains unknown. Some vets theorize that the condition begins with a bacterial infection in the intestine caused by Clostridium perfringens type A.

This infection creates dangerous toxins that erode the protective lining of the intestine, allowing fluids and blood to leak out.

How Vets Diagnose Gastroenteritis in Dogs

This diagnosis is made when a dog has a sudden case of vomiting or diarrhea, has been sluggish and lethargic, and hasn’t had an appetite. Describing your dog’s symptoms can help your veterinarian make the diagnosis. Your vet will also check your dog for dehydration and signs of abdominal pain.

To rule out other possible causes of vomiting and diarrhea, such as parvovirus, parasites, a gastrointestinal obstruction, cancer, kidney disease, and other more serious conditions, your veterinarian may need a fecal analysis, bloodwork, X-ray, or ultrasound.

Diagnosis for AHDS in Dogs

Your vet will also consider AHDS as a possible cause if your dog has bloody, watery diarrhea; dehydration; and an elevated packed cell volume (the number of red blood cells currently circulating).

There is no specific test to diagnose AHDS in dogs. If no other cause is found for your dog’s symptoms, a diagnosis of AHDS may be made as a “diagnosis of exclusion.”

An Addisonian crisis, which is when a dog with Addison’s disease has acute gastrointestinal symptoms that are often bloody, can look exactly like AHDS. This is fatal if untreated.

Since an Addisonian crisis and AHDS are both so serious, it is critical to take your dog to the vet immediately if they are dehydrated or have bloody diarrhea.

Treatment for Gastroenteritis in Dogs

The goal of treatment is to stop the vomiting/diarrhea and maintain hydration.

Depending on your dog’s condition and the underlying cause, your veterinarian may administer anti-vomiting medication, antibiotics, and antacid medications specifically formulated for dogs.

If your dog is vomiting, the medications will be administered through injection. Your dog may also require hospitalization for IV (intravenous) fluids and electrolytes.

Treatment for AHDS in Dogs

AHDS is very serious and cannot be treated at home. If your dog has bloody diarrhea or vomit, go to the emergency vet immediately.

Dogs with AHDS are losing a life-threatening amount of fluid, protein, and electrolytes, and they must be hospitalized for aggressive IV therapy, electrolyte supplementation, and medication.

With AHDS, the survival rate is 90-95% if appropriate, aggressive therapy is started quickly. Most dogs recover in two or three days.

Recovery and Management of Gastroenteritis in Dogs

After your dog comes home from the vet, you can continue care. If the vet finds that your dog’s gastroenteritis is caused by something that’s contagious, isolate your dog from your other pets. Do not allow your dog to eat or drink until there has been no vomiting for 6 to 8 hours.

Then you may give your dog small amounts of clear liquids (water, Gatorade, Pedialyte, or other electrolyte solution) every 2 hours.

If your dog does not vomit the fluid after 12 hours, give frequent, small meals of boiled hamburger and rice or boiled chicken and rice, about ¼ cup or less per feeding. Your vet might also send you home with samples of a low-fat, easily digestible prescription diet such as these:

Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Low Fat canned dog food

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric canned dog food

Recovery From AHDS in Dogs

Part of your dog’s recovery plan from AHDS should be a bland diet that’s high in carbohydrates and low in protein and fat. Your vet may offer you special canned food, or you can cook for your dog.

Cooked rice or pasta; potatoes with some cottage cheese; lean, boiled ground beef; or skinless chicken are good choices for a couple of weeks as your dog’s gut heals and their appetite returns. Ask your veterinarian about options for cooking for your dog to ensure that you provide the right nutrients in the right amounts.

Gastroenteritis in Dogs FAQs

How can I treat my dog’s gastroenteritis at home?

If your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea, you should always call your veterinarian. They can ask you specific questions to help assess how serious the situation is.

If your dog is lethargic or showing blood in their vomit or diarrhea, take them to the vet immediately. Dogs with AHDS need to be hospitalized for care and cannot be managed safely at home.

After a vet evaluates your dog’s symptoms, they might determine that your dog can be safely managed at home, and they will give you a treatment plan for home care. This may include giving your dog small amounts of clear liquids (water, Gatorade, Pedialyte, or other electrolyte solution) every 2 hours, but only after vomiting has stopped for 6 to 8 hours.

If your dog does not vomit the fluid after 12 hours, give frequent, small meals of boiled hamburger and rice or boiled chicken and rice, about ¼ cup or less per feeding. Do not give your dog over-the-counter or prescription medication unless you speak to your veterinarian.

Can gastroenteritis kill dogs?

Yes. Gastroenteritis can often become acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS) when left untreated. This is the most acute form of gastroenteritis in dogs and can lead to life-threatening dehydration if not treated quickly.

Is gastroenteritis contagious from dogs to humans?

Some of the causes of gastroenteritis are zoonotic, meaning they are contagious from dogs to humans. Bacterial infections like E. coli, salmonella, and listeria would fall into this category.

Some of the causes are specific to dogs and harmless to humans, such as canine parvovirus and distemper. 

WRITTEN BY

Liz Bales, VMD

Veterinarian

Dr. Liz Bales is a graduate of Middlebury College and The University of Pennsylvania School Of Veterinary Medicine. She focuses on unique…

Hemoglobinuria and Myoglobinuria in Dogs

Hemoglobin is an oxygen carrier in the red blood cells, which also serves to carry oxygen to the tissues, as well as the pigment that makes the blood appear red. The destruction of blood cells within the blood vessels frees hemoglobin into the blood plasma (the straw colroed liquid matter of the blood), where it binds with haptoglobin, a blood plasma protein which functions for the purpose of binding with free hemoglobin to prevent the loss of iron from the body. When all of the haptoglobin has been used up, hemoglobin spills over into the blood, binding reversibly to blood proteins and changing the color of the plasma from a faint yellow to pink. The unbound hemoglobin is then cleared through the kidneys.

Myoglobin serves the same purpose as hemoglobin but is particular to the muscles, and is differentiated by the amount of oxygen and carbon monoxide it delivers to the tissues (more, and less, respectively). Muscle damage releases myoglobin into the blood plasma, but it does not bind to serum proteins. Consequently, plasma color does not change, and the myoglobin is quickly cleared from the blood by the liver and kidneys. If there is too much hemoglobin and myoglobin in the blood plasma, these proteins will no longer be reabsorbed in the kidneys, and will instead spill over into the urine.

Not only can hemoglobin and myoglobin damage the kidneys, but their presence in the blood indicates low oxygen-carrying capacity, which can result in liver damage, serious illness, and shock, all of which serve to further decrease the amount of oxygen available to the body through the muscles and blood. In addition, the destruction of red blood cells inside the blood vessels, along with severe muscle damage, can bring about disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC), an often fatal blood clotting disease.

Symptoms and Types

Increased heart rate Lack of energy, lethargy Fever Pale white or purple tinged gums Yellow skin and/or yellow whites of eyes (jaundice) Tenderness and bruising Blood in the urine (urine is pink or red-colored)

Causes

Some of the possible causes for hemoglobinuria and myoglobinuria are listed here.

Injury and trauma (heat stroke, extreme exercise, electric shock) Infectious agents (parasites of the blood) Low blood phosphate Hemoglobinuria: Genetic diseases Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia Myoglobinuria: Acute muscle inflammation Crush injury Extreme exercise Prolonged spasms/seizures Toxins, drugs, and food reactions: Copper Menadione (used as a vitamin K supplement) Mercury Methylene blue Acetaminophen (pain reliever) Zinc Onions Snake venom

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your dog, taking into account the background history of symptoms and possible incidents that might have precipitated this condition. You will need to give a thorough history of your dog’s health and recent activities. A complete blood chemical profile will be conducted, including a complete blood count, and a test to measure for toxic levels of copper and zinc concentrations. Your doctor will also probably take a blood smear to look for irregularities of the red blood cells, and may also use the ammonium sulfate test to detect hemoglobin or myoglobin presence in the blood.

A urinalysis to look for bilirubin in the urine is another test that will be necessary for pinpointing the exact cause of the condition. Bilirubin is a red-yellow bile pigment that comes from the degradation of the red pigment (heme) in hemoglobin; too much bilirubin cannot be processed by the liver and will spill over into the urine. Excess bilirubin in the blood is also the cause of yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Radiographs and ultrasounds are useful tools for visualizing the liver in case of copper-associated liver disease, or to reveal swallowed coins or cage bolts/nuts – both of which are common sources of zinc or copper poisoning.

Treatment

The medications that are prescribed will depend upon your veterinarian’s final diagnosis of what is underlying the symptoms. If the condition is severe, your dog will be hospitalized for stabilization and fluid rehydration.

Living and Management

Your veterinarian will advise you on when you will need to return with your dog for follow-up appointments. There may be further need for a blood chemistry profile, a complete blood count, urinalysis, packed cell volume (PCV) test, and an arterial blood gas analysis. Genetic diseases are generally incurable, but can sometimes be managed by taking certain precautions with your dog. For example, neonatal isoerythrolysis, a congenital condition which results in the destruction of red blood cells, can be prevented by not allowing greyhounds with exertional myopathies (muscle diseases) to race; restricting exercise in Old English Sheepdogs with exertional lactic acidosis (abnormally high levels of acids in the blood); and not allowing Bedlington and West Highland White Terriers with copper-associated liver disease to come into contact with copper.

Sjögren-like syndrome is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease seen in adult dogs. Similar to the eponymous human illness, this syndrome is typically characterized by dry eyes, dry mouth, and glandular inflammation due to the infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells (white blood cells which produce antibodies). It is also associated with other autoimmune or immune-mediated diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and pemphigus.

The underlying cause of Sjögren-like syndrome is currently unknown.  However, autoantibodies which attack the glandular tissues are thought to be a factor. Dog breeds that are more prone to this syndrome include the English bulldog, West Highland white terrier, and miniature schnauzer.  (Cats do not seem to develop this Sjögren-like syndrome.)

Symptoms and Types

Typically, the onset of symptoms associated with Sjögren-like syndrome begin once the dog reaches adulthood. Such symptoms include:

Dry eyes due to insufficient tear production (keratoconjuctivitis sicca); most prominent clinical feature Inflammation of the tissues around the eye (conjunctivitis) Inflammation of the cornea (keratitis) Abnormal eye twitching (blepharospasm) Redness of the tissue around the eyes Corneal lesions (opacity to ulceration) Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) Ulcers in the mouth (stomatitis)

Causes

Because it develops concurrently with other immune-mediated and autoimmune diseases, there appears to be an immunologic factor to Sjögren-like syndrome. Some dog breeds may also be genetically predisposed to this disease.

Diagnosis

You will need to give a thorough history of your dog’s health to your veterinarian, including the onset and nature of the symptoms. He or she will then perform a complete physical examination as well as a complete blood count, biochemistry profile, and urinalysis. Your veterinarian may also employ a Schirmer tear test to determine if the tear production is at a normal rate (0 to 5 millimeters per minute).

A few common serological results seen in dogs with Sjögren-like syndrome include:

Hypergammaglobulinemia (lots of antibodies in the blood) revealed by serum protein electrophoresis. Positive antinuclear antibody test Positive lupus erythematosus (immune-disorder causing skin disease) cell test Positive rheumatoid factor test (immune-disorder causing arthritis) Positive indirect fluorescent antibody test for autoantibodies (antibodies the animal may have against its own body)

Treatment

Often directed at managing concurrent diseases and controlling controlling keratoconjunctivitis sicca. This entails the use of topical tear preparations, immunosuppressive or anti-inflammatory drugs, and topical antibiotics for secondary bacterial infection of the cornea. Dogs that do not respond well the these methods may require surgery.

Living and Management

Your veterinarian will schedule regular follow-up appointments to examine the dog’s progress and manage concurrent diseases and side effects associated with immunosuppressive drugs.

Reviewed for accuracy on March 2, 2022 by Dr. Lauren Jones, VMD

Dog thunderstorm anxiety is a disorder characterized by a persistent and exaggerated fear of storms, or the stimuli that are associated with storms. This phobia is complicated and sometimes difficult to manage because it involves physiologic, emotional, and behavioral components.

Thunderstorm phobia occurs in both dogs and cats, but dogs are more susceptible to this type of fear.

Why Are Dogs Scared of Thunder?

The exact cause of dog storm anxiety is unknown, but it may include a combination of the following factors:

Lack of exposure to storms early in development

Unintentional reinforcement of the fear response by owners

A genetic predisposition for emotional reactivity (the condition appears to be more common in herding breeds)

Dogs can react to a variety of stimuli associated with storms, including the sound of thunder, dropping barometric pressure, rain, flashes of lightening, and electrical charges within the air.

What Are the Signs of Dog Storm Anxiety?

Dogs can exhibit a variety of responses or behaviors in reaction to a thunderstorm. Some common signs of a thunderstorm phobia include:

Pacing

Panting

Trembling

Hiding or remaining near the owner

Drooling

Destructiveness

Excessive vocalization

Self-inflicted trauma

Incontinence

How Is a Thunderstorm Phobia in Dogs Diagnosed?

Your veterinarian will need to rule out any conditions that can cause similar behavioral responses, such as separation anxiety, pain, and neurologic problems.

Additional testing may be necessary to ensure that the dog is healthy enough to be given anti-anxiety medications, if that is deemed necessary.

How Does Thunderstorm Anxiety Affect Your Dog Physically?

Fear, anxiety, and stress can affect body systems in a variety of ways, including:

Cardiovascular—high heart rate

Endocrine/metabolic—increased cortisol levels, stress-induced hyperglycemia

Gastrointestinal—inappetence, gastrointestinal upset

Musculoskeletal—trauma resulting from escape attempts

Respiratory—rapid breathing

Skin—acral lick dermatitis (skin damage due to chronic licking that is thought to release endorphins and promote a sense of calm)

If your dog’s thunderstorm phobia is severe, and storms occur with some regularity where you live, the chronic effects could lead to a decreased quality of life and potentially problems like immune dysfunction and an increased risk of infection.

Talk with your veterinarian to decide the best way to approach and help manage your dog’s anxiety-induced behaviors.

What Can You Do to Relieve Dog Storm Anxiety?

Most dogs cannot be cured of their thunderstorm phobias, but management is possible. In a study published in 2003, 30 out of 32 dogs showed significant improvement in their symptoms with appropriate therapy.

Comfort Your Dog

It’s perfectly acceptable to offer comfort if your dog seeks it during a storm. It’s a common misconception that doing so might accidentally reinforce your dog’s fear, but fear is a visceral response that can’t be altered by a petting or kind words.

Create a Calming Environment

Playing some calming music to mask the sound of the storm and offering your dog a food puzzle or chew might help your dog refocus during a storm. Plan ahead and try to anticipate noxious events. Watch the news to anticipate weather events so you can begin calming your dog before it even begins.

Create a safe, calm space where your pet cannot hurt themselves, such as a crate. You can even cover the crate with a blanket to decrease visual stimulus and mute sounds. You can also decrease auditory stimulus by conditioning your dog to wearing headphones or using cotton balls in their ears.

Try a Dog Anxiety Vest

Body wraps like the ThunderShirt ease anxiety in fearful dogs, but allow your dog enough time to acclimate to a ThunderShirt prior to using it during a storm. Introduce the garment slowly and use treats to help your dog make a positive association to it. The Thundercap is a great addition to the Thundershirt to allow your dog to comfortably move around while decreasing noxious stimulants like flashing lights.

Surround Them With Dog-Appeasing Pheromones

Calming pheromones like those included in Adaptil diffusers, collars, and sprays are another good option.

Give Them Calming Supplements 

Anxiety-relieving nutritional supplements like Nutramax Solliquin calming chews and VetriScience Composure behavioral health chews may also help dogs that are scared of thunder or other stimuli associated with storms.

Ask Your Vet About Anti-Anxiety Medications and Behavioral Modification

Prescription anti-anxiety medications for dogs are sometimes needed with more severe storm phobias or for dogs who do not respond to over-the-counter treatments. Your veterinarian can also recommend a behavioral modification plan to help your dog learn to remain calm when a thunderstorm approaches.

While your veterinarian has many prescription options to help treat thunderstorm phobia, you may want to talk to them about the product Sileo – it is the first and only FDA-approved noise aversion treatment for dogs. 

Featured Image: iStock.com/Capuski

Nocardiosis in Dogs

Nocardiosis is an uncommon infectious disease affecting several body systems, including the respiratory, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems. Both dogs and cats may become exposed to the infectious, saphrophytic organism, which nourishes itself from dead or decaying matter in the soil. Typically, the exposure occurs either through open wounds or via inhalation.

Symptoms and Types

Symptoms of nocardiosis are largely dependent on the site of infection. If, for example, it occurs in the pleural body cavity, which includes the lungs and surrounding membranes, symptoms can include emaciation, fever, and raspy, labored breathing (dyspnea). If it is a skin infection, symptoms can include the presence of chronic non-healing wounds and, if left untreated, draining lymph nodes. If the infection is not localized in one specific area of the body, the symptoms may include fever, weight loss, and lethargic behavior. Also known as disseminated nocardiosis, this form of nocardiosis is most common in young dogs.

Causes

The infectious organism is found in the soil and can enter the dog’s body through open wounds or through the respiratory tract, when it inhales. Nocardia asteroides is the most common species affecting dogs. However, they may also be susceptible to Proactinomyces spp., but it is very rare.

In addition, dogs with compromised immune systems or those suffering from autoimmune diseases increases the likelihood of this type of Nocardia infection.

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will analyze cells from the dog’s thorax or abdomen to identify the causative organism. Other diagnostic procedures, such as X-rays and urine analysis, are employed to rule out other potential causes, including fungal infections and tumors.

Treatment

Treatment for nocardiosis is largely dependent upon the site of infection and subsequent symptoms. If pleural effusion is apparent, hospitalization will be necessary to prevent dehydration. Surgical drainage of the fluid may even be required. Otherwise, long-term antibiotic therapy is vital for fighting off the infection.

Living and Management

Because nocardiosis frequently affects the musculoskeletal and central nervous system, it is imperative that you carefully monitor the dog for fever, weight loss, seizures, breathing difficulties, and lameness for at least one year after therapy.

Prevention

General cleanliness and frequent disinfection of your dog’s wounds or cuts may help prevent this type of infection, especially if your dog has a weakened immune system.

What Is Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs?

The canine elbow is a complex articulating joint made up of three bones: the humerus, the radius, and the ulna. These bones work together to allow a dog to bend, run, and play.

Elbow dysplasia is a condition related to abnormal bone growth and/or development that alters the function of this joint, leading to abnormal weight distribution, pain, and arthritis—which most certainly affect a dog’s ability to bend, run, and play. Elbow dysplasia is seen more often in younger, large-breed dogs. 

Typically, elbow dysplasia is diagnosed as having four lesions, involving different parts of the joint:

Ununited anconeal process (UAP): UAP occurs when there has been separation of the anconeal process, a part of the ulna. This is usually noted at 4-8 months of age. Initially, the anconeal process is held by fibrous tissue to the ulna, but due to variable factors like trauma, it fails to fuse or becomes detached and the joint becomes unstable.Fragmented coronoid process (FCP): FCP occurs when the coronoid process, a part of the ulna, fails to attach to the rest of the bone. It is problematic because that piece aids in the articulating surface of the joint. Without it, looseness, inflammation, and arthritis develop within the joint.Osteochondrosis of the medial humeral condyle: During development, cartilage eventually turns into bone, but in this case, that process doesn’t occur. So, where bone should be—specifically, where the medial condyle attaches to the humerus—cartilage, instead of bone, becomes the articulating surface. This can subsequently flake off, causing pain, swelling, and lameness. Medial compartment disease (MCD): MCD occurs when an abnormal amount of pressure from one joint surface erodes the other articulating joint surface, causing bone to become exposed, inflamed, and painful. This form of dysplasia carries the worse prognosis, as it cannot be reversed, and the cartilage cannot be replaced. Surgery may be a possibility, but further research is needed.< img src="78746/Elbow dysplasia in dog.jpeg">

Symptoms of Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs

Dogs are typically not screened for elbow dysplasia, unless it is known to have occurred in the dog’s bloodline, or the breed is predisposed. Most signs are fairly noticeable to the pet parent and the veterinarian, but some can be subtle, making the condition hard to diagnose. Dogs most often experience:

Lameness or limping in one or both forelimbs, sometimes seen with a head bob. Most dogs will still be able to bear weight on the limb

Swollen elbow

Thickened joint

Decreased range of motion

Pain on manipulation of the joint

Elbow bulges out toward the side

Abnormal gait

Hesitant to run or play as before

Causes of Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs

Elbow dysplasia is thought to be an inherited condition, but it has also been associated with:

Prior trauma

Nutritional imbalances or deficiencies

Defects in cartilage growth or bone development

Hormonal factors

Certain large-dog breeds are predisposed to the condition, which more often affects both elbows rather than one. These include:

Bernese Mountain Dogs

Labrador Retrievers

German Shepherds

Rottweilers

Newfoundlands

Mastiffs

How Veterinarians Diagnose Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs

A physical exam will help localize the source of pain and discomfort to the elbow before x-rays will be taken of the limb. Sometimes, in order to obtain more accurate diagnostic images, your dog may need to be sedated or anesthetized. X-rays are almost always taken of the opposite limb as well for comparison purposes and to determine if disease is present in that elbow as well.

If the signs cannot be determined on x-rays, a CT scan or arthroscopy (scoping, using a camera called an arthroscope, to take images of the elbow joint) may be ordered. In some cases, treatment of the condition can also occur during the arthroscopic procedure.

Treatment of Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs

The goal of any treatment for elbow dysplasia is to slow the progression of arthritis and allow the dog to use the elbow properly. Surgery is by far the most recommended course of treatment, not only to remove any diseased or damaged tissue but also to return functional ability to the joint. Surgery should be performed as soon as possible in order to prevent further joint trauma.

It is important to note, however, that even with surgery, some degree of arthritis will develop. Because most surgeries are aimed at removing the part that is causing the dysplasia, the joint will be missing vital structures and won’t fit perfectly together.

Given the technical prowess needed for repair, arthroscopic surgery is often preferred, as it is minimally invasive. This is usually performed by a veterinary orthopedic surgeon. 

Dogs that are not candidates for surgery are treated supportively with:

Medications aimed at decreasing pain and inflammation, such as NSAIDs like Rimadyl^®, Galliprant^®, and meloxicam

Joint supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin, which help decrease inflammation, promote healing, and retain water, giving the joint more cushioning (similar to WD-40 for gears)

Weight management, as any additional weight is that much more problematic for the joint

Adequan^®, an injectable medication that inhibits cartilage loss, to help restore joint lubrication and relieve inflammation

How Much Does Elbow Dysplasia Surgery Cost?

Cost and the ability to properly care for your dog post-op and throughout the rehabilitation process should be strong considerations in determining the best course of treatment for your dog. Of course, this should be a conversation you have with your veterinarian, but most surgeries cost $1,500-$4,000 per elbow, depending on your region.

Recovery and Management of Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs

The prognosis for elbow dysplasia in dogs is good long-term, especially if degeneration is minimal or not apparent. The recovery period is often several weeks followed by several more of physical therapy and rehabilitation. It’s important to follow through, as this will often lead your dog to a faster recovery and better outcome than surgery alone.

Rehabilitation with passive range-of-motion exercises, massage, acupuncture, or even physical therapy will be recommended and should be pursued in order to provide the best return to function as soon as possible. Additionally, exercise restriction will be important long-term, along with minimizing the impact of running, especially on hard flooring. 

Dogs that cannot undergo surgery for one reason or another can live a long time with the condition. However, degenerative changes will develop over time, along with osteoarthritis, and your dog will suffer chronic pain. As such, medications like those mentioned above may be prescribed, along with joint supplements and diets.

Prevention of Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs

Because the condition is thought to have a genetic component, any pets with elbow dysplasia should be spayed or neutered to keep them from passing on the condition. Also, the parents shouldn’t be bred again.

Minimizing trauma or additional stress to the joints—by, for example, keeping your dog from jumping down from furniture or going up and down stairs—may be helpful, as well as maintaining a healthy weight. Screening your puppy for this condition with x-rays would be advisable if your puppy is a breed susceptible to the condition.

Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs FAQs

Is elbow dysplasia in dogs curable?

Unfortunately, elbow dysplasia cannot be cured. But it can be well managed. Surgery and medications can give your dog a relatively good quality of life. Playing fetch is not out of the question!

How long can a dog live with elbow dysplasia?

Dogs with minimal arthritis at the time of diagnosis have a much more favorable prognosis than those that have significant arthritis. Fortunately, with surgical therapy, and even with medical management to an extent, dogs with elbow dysplasia can go on to live a fairly healthy life.

Featured Image: iStock/xavierarnau

WRITTEN BY

Michael Kearley, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Michael Kearley graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013. He graduated with a certificate in…