My puppy is whimpering and limping. Could it be elbow dysplasia?

I do see some abnormal opacity in the elbow joint where the arrow is, so I would have to agree with your vet here. It is not possible to zoom in on x-rays that are copied here however, so its best to get a copy of the x-rays on a CD and then having them reviewed by a 2nd opinion doctor that way. Or you can ask your vet to send these to a radiologist who is well trained on picking up on small details that the untrained eye can miss. Another option is to treat medically for a minimum of 2 weeks, and if there is no improvement, then you know that is not just a muscle sprain or mild injury, and that elbow dysplasia is more likely the underlying cause. Doing a process of elimination, while still treating the pets pain, is a common thing that owners do when they are looking for a more conservative approach. If this is indeed elbow dysplasia, then I would recommend a referral to an orthopedic specialist if you want to pursue treatment. Treatment for this condition is often surgery. Poor guy. I hope that you can get him some relief soon. Best wishes and take care!

I am sorry to hear about Alex. IF she yelped and now is not bearing weight on a hind leg, the more common injury would be a torn cruciate ligament in the knee. Hip dysplasia is a chronic/ongoing/slowly progressing issue in most cases though it can be exacerbated by certain activiities. We can also have small fractures in toes and things occur, so this is also a possibility. If she is limping/painful I would recommend a visit to her veterinarian.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Jelly Bean. Poor girl! Limping means she is in pain, and it could be from elbow dysplasia. You can see signs of it in the dog as early as 5 months of age. Unfortunately there are no OTC pain relievers you can give her. Many human ones are toxic to dogs and are fatal if given. I'd take her into the vet today to get her pain medication and to have x-rays done of her elbow. I hope this helps!

Since Kilba can't talk, only a physical exam will be able to determine the source of the lameness. Just like people, the pain/limping can be related to many causes including a ligament tears, soft tissue injury, a developmental abnormality or even a spinal issue. You may try strict rest for a few days (no walks, running, jumping or stairs). If Kilba does not improve, have her examined by the veterinarian. She may need radiographs and the doctor will determine this based on the exam. I hope she starts feeling better quickly.

Poor Gemma! It sounds like she is uncomfortable on her front legs. She could be dealing with any number of issues-I would recommend a visit to your regular veterinarian for a checkup. They can do a thorough physical exam to look for any problems, and may recommend X-rays to check for things like fractures, panosteitis or HOD. Elbow dysplasia can also present in young larger breed dogs. Good luck-I hope Gemma feels better soon!

That is possible. It is best to have Dace examined by your vet. X-rays are usually performed to determine if there is hip dysplasia present so that preventive measures can be taken to help protect the hip and keep it healthy. If Dace was from a breeder, asking if they have records of any dysplasia tests, etc can also help.

Hip dysplasia can only be positively diagnosed with x-rays. There are certain indicators that can be noted on a physical exam, but they can only be considered supportive of the actual radiographic diagnosis. I would have his leg looked at and examined for fractures, evidence of soft tissue injuries, or as you have mentioned, evidence of hip imperfections. Based on the nature of the injury, the solution to the problem maybe something as simple as rest or medical therapy, or as complex as surgical procedures. Hope this helps.