If you're a dog owner, you may have noticed their elbows getting rough and callused. While they may not be attractive, they are usually harmless. In some cases, however, they can become infected or cause problems with the dog's movement. Fortunately, there are a few ways to treat and prevent elbow calluses in dogs. In this blog post, we'll discuss what causes elbow calluses in dogs and how to prevent them from developing. We'll also provide tips for treating existing calluses. Keep reading for more information!
Why do elbow calluses develop in dogs?
Elbow calluses are most commonly seen in dogs that spend a lot of time lying on hard surfaces. If the dog experiences skin trauma at a pressure point, it may develop skin proliferation and a callus. This can be due to their sleeping habits, their living environment, or simply because they enjoy spending time outside on concrete or asphalt. Over time, these hard surfaces will cause the elbow to become calloused.
In some cases, if there are reasons for your dog to lie down more often and for longer durations such as pain or illness, elbow calluses can develop more rapidly and become quite pronounced. Elbow calluses are more common in large and giant breeds of dogs, but any dog can develop callus dermatitis and possible infection.
Can elbow calluses in dogs become problematic?
In some cases, yes, bacteria can grow and cause an infection in the cracks and fissures of elbow calluses in dogs. This, along with continued skin trauma, can lead to dermatitis. Callus dermatitis and infection happen with different types of bacteria. In cases where there are ulcerations and fistulas, deep skin infections may also occur.
The infection can cause the callus to become red, painful, and hot to the touch. If the infection spreads, it can lead to fever and lameness. In severe cases, elbow calluses can even cause joint problems. In some cases of severe infection, there may be fluid seeping and draining from the elbow callus.
What is the treatment for elbow calluses in dogs?
It is important to reduce skin trauma and pressure on elbow calluses in dogs. Pads, bedding, or a combination of these techniques might all be used to prevent to reduce pressure over the elbows. For severely infected elbow calluses in dogs, antibiotics should be used and continued treatment until at least 1 week beyond the clinical resolution of infection.
For elbow calluses in dogs that show no signs of infection (redness, discharge, pain, warmth to the touch, etc.) and are not bothersome to the dog, no treatment is required. If your dog has mild callus dermatitis, hydrotherapy with daily warm water baths may be enough to heal it. Soaking the callus in an Epsom salt solution (2 tablespoons of Epsom salts per 4 cups of warm water) can help cases that have more inflammation.
There are various dermatologic topicals that can be used to decrease inflammation and/or treat infected elbow calluses in dogs. Additionally, these same topical medications can also help to soften the callus.
With very severely infected elbow calluses in dogs, surgery may be necessary to remove them. However, postoperative care can be difficult because there is a high risk of surgical breakdown and poor wound healing. For these reasons, surgery should be considered a very last resort.
How can elbow calluses in dogs be prevented?
The best way to prevent elbow calluses in dogs is by relieving the skin trauma at pressure points. If your dog sleeps on a hard surface, provide them with a padded bed or place a soft blanket over the area they typically sleep on. If they spend time outside on concrete or asphalt, try to provide them with a grassy area to lie down in.
For dogs that are predisposed to elbow calluses (such as large and giant breeds), 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.
Are elbow calluses painful for dogs?
Elbow calluses themselves are not painful for dogs. However, if they become infected, they can be quite painful. If your dog is showing signs of pain (licking the elbow, limping, etc.), it is important to have them seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Why are my dog's elbows crusty?
The most common cause of crusty elbows in dogs is thickened and dried elbow calluses.
Do dogs' elbow calluses disappear?
Elbow calluses in dogs are not typically known to go away on their own. If the underlying cause of the elbow callus (skin trauma, pressure, etc.) is not addressed, the callus will likely continue to form. However, elbow calluses can be managed with various treatments, as described above.
In conclusion, in most cases, elbow calluses in dogs aren't an issue but sometimes they can be a bothersome problem, but there are many things that can be done to prevent and treat them. By taking some simple precautions, you can help your dog avoid elbow calluses altogether. And if they do develop elbow calluses, there are many treatments available to help them heal quickly and comfortably. If you are concerned about your dog's elbow calluses, please contact your veterinarian for further advice.