My dog has a dry patch on her elbow. Is it a callus or dry skin?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is a callus that has formed at a pressure point. This is very common in the elbow. This actually does not need any therapy per se. However, one way to try to prevent it from getting any worse would be making sure to have a dog bed and well padded surfaces throughout the house as this forms from laying on hard surfaces. These only need treatment if they are severe and become infected which is not the case with Oliver. I hope you find this information helpful. Good luck and have a great day!

It is not uncommon for larger breeds to develop elbow callouses. Monitor for any licking or chewing of the spots. An e-collar (cone) can be used if necessary to stop licking. Provide a padded bed or beds for him to lay down. Consider adding an essential fatty acid supplement, such as DermCaps or EicosaCaps, to his diet. These may promote healthy skin and coat.

Hello. Based on your pictures, it does look like Boo has developed an elbow callus. These happen when there is too much pressure when lying on a hard surface. Try to encourage Boo to rest on more padded surfaces, but generally require little more to treat. But I do recommend letting your veterinarian take a look at Boo's elbow at your earliest convenience just in case something else is amiss that would only become apparent after a hands on examination. Hopefully, all will be well with her & thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is hard to see well on these pictures but these look like calluses at the elbow. These are just basically the result of pressure on bony protuberances like the elbow. These are very common in large breed dogs like Labrador Retrievers. You can add more bedding for her to lay down. Otherwise, if no discharge or inflammation occur, it is ok to just monitor this. Good luck and have a good day!

Hello, and thank you for your question. Large breed dogs commonly develop calluses on their elbows as they age. It may be that you are seeing the formation of these calluses. However, if he is scratching or licking at the elbows, or if you are noticing redness or discharge in the area, then it may be an infection that warrants a vet visit and medication. If it is only dry and flaky and Rosco is unbothered, you can try applying a barrier cream such as vaseline to protect the area from trauma, and also provide him with plenty of soft bedding to rest his elbows on when he is sleeping. This may help to prevent trauma to the elbows as they gradually form a callus. I hope this helps, and that Rosco is well!

This is a callus. No need to worry. Usually happens when they lay on hard surfaces. Completely normal. If they become red or irritated then I recommend a veterinarian. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Given the appearance and location, it looks as though this is just Fenrir's elbow callus. Oftentimes elbow calluses can have a tiny bit of dry, white scaling as the skin normally turns over. Calluses tend to form over high pressure areas, like elbows, to protect the skin. Large breed dogs in particular tend to develop more calluses than smaller dogs simply due to the weight and pressure placed when they lay on hard surfaces. As long as Fenrir continues to walk normally, seem comfortable, and the skin isn't red or having discharge, I don't see any cause for concern here. As he gets older, I wouldn't be surprised if the callus gets a little bit bigger. I hope that everything goes well!