Harmony
Labradorable | 
 | | Barked: Mon Feb 9, '09 7:19am PST |  | |  | | I wanted to bump this back up so that BooBoo would have an easier time finding it for info to help his elbow dysplasia he was just diagnosed with! So sorry BooBoo!!!!! Preventing the joint from getting worse is the key!!!!!
What is Elbow Dysplasia?
This A+ FRR Pet Health FAQ discusses elbow dysplasia, a predominately genetic issue that is commonly seen in larger dog breeds.
Elbow dysplasia (elbow abnormality or disease) is similar to the more common hip dysplasia in that it is a genetic issue common in larger dog breeds. Dogs with elbow dysplasia typically show forelimb lameness and elbow pain, frequently in both forelimbs. While this in an inherited defect, environmental factors such as diet, activity, and trauma also have a role in the development and progression of the disease.
Many large breed and giant breed dogs are affected, including Basset Hounds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Bloodhounds, Bouvier des Flandres, Chow Chows, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Great Pyrenees, Irish Wolfhounds, Labrador Retrievers, Mastiffs, Newfoundlands, Rottweilers, St. Bernards, and Weimaraners. Elbow dysplasia is also more common in males than females.
The term elbow dysplasia refers to several conditions that affect the elbow joint, conditions that in many cases are different manifestations of a single disease process, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) . OCD is abnormal maturation of cartilage (the specialized connective tissue from which bone develops). Environmental factors such as over-feeding, which causes fast weight-gain and growth, can dramatically affect the development of elbow dysplasia in dogs that are genetically predisposed to it.
Lameness due to elbow dysplasia typically starts at 7 to 10 months of age. It is present every day, and may be most obvious when your dog first gets up, or starts to walk or run. The prognosis (the likely outcome) depends on how far the disease has progressed when treatment begins. Good clinical results (i.e. your dog will not be painful) are usually seen if treatment starts early, before osteoarthritis (degenerative changes in the joint) has developed. If left untreated, your dog's pain and lameness will gradually get worse.
Surgery is usually recommended to remove a bone or cartilage fragment. Medical management recommendations include monitoring the diet (to avoid excessive weight gain and fast growth), and controlling exercise. Medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help with pain relief, and "Chondroprotective agents" such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may also be prescribed.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate are naturally occurring nutritional supplements widely recommended for their potential value in helping animals suffering from or genetically predisposed to suffering from arthritis and joint pain, including hip dysplasia (as well as other forms of dysplasia). These organic supplements work by minimizing cartilage damage and swelling, increasing joint lubrication, helping to rebuild the cartilage that cushions and protects joints, and enhancing new cartilage production.
Seek veterinary treatment if your dog's condition worsens. With extra care and proper nutrition, your dog can live a long, happy and virtually pain-free life with elbow dysplasia.
Canine massage is a safe, effective way to help your dog live a healthier life. Massage is great for improving circulation, reducing pain, and promoting overall health and well being. Massage is especially helpful for dogs with hip and elbow dysplasia.
Linda Tellington-Jones developed a way of communicating with dogs that combines massage-like touches, body wraps and physical manipulation to improve athletic performance, aggressive behavior, nervousness, fears, as well as medical problems, and injuries. Linda started this method with horses where her skills were called upon frequently for unruly, uncooperative, injured or aggressive horses. She later adapted T-touch for dogs.
T-touch for dogs can be performed by any owner and its benefits are amazing. Animals who start out frantic and hyper become relaxed while being treated. Tellington touch can also improve an animals ability to learn . It can be used for nervous dogs who are fearful of loud noises, people or other dogs. It can be used to help aggressive dogs relax and learn new alternatives to aggression.
So how do you get started ? Here are some examples of T-touch techniques to try on your dog:
The T-touch is based upon the circular movement of the fingers all over the dogs body. It’s function is to wake up cells and improve the flow of energy within the dogs body. To begin, imagine the face of a clock on your dogs body about 1″ in size. Curve your fingers slightly at the 6 o’clock mark and move in a clockwise circle one an a quarter times around the clock. Don’t bear down too hard as you make your circle, just enough to move the skin. Pick up your hand and move to a new spot and make another circle. You can do circles in a straight line or randomly all over the body. The benefits are equal, see what your dog likes. Remember to breathe as you gently work on your dog and keep the first sessions short, less than 5 minutes. Give him time to adjust to this new way of interacting with you.
Another type of touch that is useful in relaxing dogs is Ear T-touch. There are several different ways in which you can work the ears. The simplest is to get behind your dog, place the rest of your fingers under the earflap and slide the ear through your thumb and index finger. Experiment with the speed and pressure and see what effect it has on your dog. Another type of ear touch involves making circles at the base of the ear or all along the length of the flap with your fingertips.
T-touch principles work similarly to acupressure. The pressure of touch stimulates the body to heal itself, relax itself and otherwise improve the quality of life and health. No matter how clumsy you feel at first keep practicing in short sessions and gradually increase their length if your dog seems to be enjoying himself. You may find that spending time with your dog in this way is the best part of your day! |  |  | |  |
| | my page | msg me | gift me | become pals | |
|
|
The Dog Show: Who's Your Mama?
9
