Granger the Dane

[jumstead1023]

My daughters one year old raw fed intact male Dane has one swollen elbow. When he saw his breeder/vet they said it is caused by laying on hardwood floor or crate and just to monitor it. He literally lays on the couch or a kids bed most of the time. He only eats in his crate and relaxes for half an hour. It’s not getting better. Ideas?

 

[Dr. Sara]

This looks like a seroma (from acute trauma) or a hygroma (from chronic trauma of lying on hard surfaces). These are extremely common in large and giant breed dogs, and especially in short haired dogs. It doesn't take much to get one of these to pop up in a big puppy - does he play bow enthusiastically, or lie down quickly on to his elbows? Any of these can concuss the area and cause swelling.

Treatment involves preventing further trauma while the site is healing and providing antioxidants and other healing support. Danes are big enough that human wrist pads (like for tennis) fit nicely over the swollen area to cushion it. There is also a company, DoggLeggs, that makes sleeves to protect the area. Not all dogs will wear DoggLeggs, and if the sleeve shifts, it can chafe the skin.

Continue to ensure that puppy does not lie on bare floors AT ALL. I can't stress this enough, as the hard floors combined with the dog's weight are a major aggravating factor. I note that there is a lot of wood floor visible in the photo. If the boy plays on the smooth wood floor, he can bang his elbows on it when he is playing. It is best to keep giant breeds off smooth floors when playing - just carpeted areas and grass.

Apply ice to decrease swelling related to trauma.
Consider cold laser, red light therapy or Assisi Loop to increase circulation and remove products of inflammation.
Consider various anti-oxidants like the medical mushrooms and others.
Consider appropriate homeopathic medicines - perhaps Arnica, or Apis, or Ledum.
I hope this helps!

 

[jumstead1023]

This looks like a seroma (from acute trauma) or a hygroma (from chronic trauma of lying on hard surfaces). These are extremely common in large and giant breed dogs, and especially in short haired dogs. It doesn't take much to get one of these to pop up in a big puppy - does he play bow enthusiastically, or lie down quickly on to his elbows? Any of these can concuss the area and cause swelling.

Treatment involves preventing further trauma while the site is healing and providing antioxidants and other healing support. Danes are big enough that human wrist pads (like for tennis) fit nicely over the swollen area to cushion it. There is also a company, DoggLeggs, that makes sleeves to protect the area. Not all dogs will wear DoggLeggs, and if the sleeve shifts, it can chafe the skin.

Continue to ensure that puppy does not lie on bare floors AT ALL. I can't stress this enough, as the hard floors combined with the dog's weight are a major aggravating factor. I note that there is a lot of wood floor visible in the photo. If the boy plays on the smooth wood floor, he can bang his elbows on it when he is playing. It is best to keep giant breeds off smooth floors when playing - just carpeted areas and grass.

Apply ice to decrease swelling related to trauma.
Consider cold laser, red light therapy or Assisi Loop to increase circulation and remove products of inflammation.
Consider various anti-oxidants like the medical mushrooms and others.
Consider appropriate homeopathic medicines - perhaps Arnica, or Apis, or Ledum.
I hope this helps!

Thank you so much

 

[Dr. Jeff]

As Dr. Sara said Judy, this is frequently related to some sort of trauma. Her suggestions are awe-some!!

I especially love the homeopathic recommendations because sometimes this is an energetic, and not physical problem.

EXTREMITIES; SWELLING; Elbow (33 remedies) :

Does Granger have anything else going on like intermittent diarrheas, vomiting, etc? Bad breath or other odors?

Any recent vaccines or medications? New foods?

Other left-sided symptoms like eye or ear problems, lameness, etc.?

 

[jumstead1023]

As Dr. Sara said Judy, this is frequently related to some sort of trauma. Her suggestions are awe-some!!

I especially love the homeopathic recommendations because sometimes this is an energetic, and not physical problem.

EXTREMITIES; SWELLING; Elbow (33 remedies) :

Does Granger have anything else going on like intermittent diarrheas, vomiting, etc? Bad breath or other odors?

Any recent vaccines or medications? New foods?

Other left-sided symptoms like eye or ear problems, lameness, etc.?

I’ll ask my daughter but I don’t think so. He has a new Dane female pup that joined the household last month who he adores.

 

[jumstead1023]

My daughters one year old raw fed intact male Dane has one swollen elbow. When he saw his breeder/vet they said it is caused by laying on hardwood floor or crate and just to monitor it. He literally lays on the couch or a kids bed most of the time. He only eats in his crate and relaxes for half an hour. It’s not getting better. Ideas?

She is getting a new carpet as well.

 

[jumstead1023]

Thank you so much

 

[jumstead1023]

I posted exactly one month ago about my grand dogs elbow. They bought a new carpet for their living room so he is not on hardwood floors at all. His breeder wants her to give him DMSO!! I told her no. The funniest video would have been when she put a sleeve on him to cushion it and he jumped around like a kangaroo! He’s a funny boy

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Is he doing well, Judy?

 

[jumstead1023]

Is he doing well, Judy?

He is doing well but the swelling on his elbow has not gone down. He usually sleeps on the couch but will play on the floor

 

[Dr. Jeff]

It sounds like this may be more of an early warning sign of imbalance rather than a physical issue.

One other thing to try is to add minerals in the form of an organic kelp. They will help his body work optimally. The next step, if your daughter wants to address this further, is to have a full lifestyle evaluation and possibly use individualized homeopathy.

Here's the great deal on an organic kelp (same one as in PlaqueOff) I just got for Archie:

Organic Kelp for Dogs & Cats (Bundle Deal) | RawPawsPetFood.com

Buy 2 Get 1 Free. Our kelp daily supplement bundle deal is super healthy. Harvested from the cleanest, richest waters on earth. Free Shipping!

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