Elbow Disease In Golden Retrievers

2024 Author: Sebastian Paterson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:47

The Golden Retriever is by no means a pampered dog breed

Designed for hunting, dogs of this breed have a fairly massive skeleton and strong joints. Adult dogs are a little phlegmatic and in no hurry, but persistent in achieving their goals. Dysplasia of the elbow joint may be the only possible orthopedic problem in these dogs.

In contrast to dysplasia of the hip joint, which consists in congenitally incorrect formation of the shape of the acetabulum of the pelvis, under the term dysplasia of the elbow joint in the European literature there are several unrelated diseases of the bones that form the elbow joint. This is, first of all, the incorrect formation of the shape of the articular surface of the bones of the forearm, resulting from the uneven growth of the radius and ulna. This also includes the non-attachment of bone fragments of the ulna, allegedly pathogenetically associated with the uneven distribution of the load in the areas of the malformed articular surface. However, according to our long-term observations, such a relationship is usually not traced.

Of the listed problems in the elbow joint in Golden Retrievers, one is widespread - non-adherence and fragmentation of the coronal process of the ulna. The ulna, one of the bones of the forearm, has an articular surface at the upper end for articulation with one of the condyles of the humerus. The inner edge of this surface protrudes in the form of a small process, which is a solid support for the humerus. However, for various reasons, the formation of this appendix is sometimes disturbed. In puppies up to 6 months of age, this process is connected to the body of the ulna by a cartilaginous layer, the so-called apophyseal line, which ossifies after 6 months, and the coronal process turns out to be a single whole with the entire ulna.

However, sometimes the process of ossification in this area is disrupted, the process does not grow, as a result of which the functionally important edge of the articular surface is mobile, does not withstand the pressure of the humerus properly, which leads to a violation of the stability of the entire elbow joint. The non-growing process itself becomes more and more mobile over time, sometimes it is completely separated and turns into a freely mobile intra-articular body - the so-called articular mouse. The cartilage that covers the articular surface near the site of non-attachment is gradually destroyed, and its particles enter the joint cavity, which can be compared to the ingress of sand into a bearing.

As a result of a violation of the stability of the elbow, inflammation occurs, which without treatment becomes chronic and ultimately leads to severe and irreversible deformations of the articular ends of the bones that form the elbow joint.

The elbow joint is one of the most stressed joints in the skeleton. It is subjected to both a static load, supporting the body in space, and a dynamic one - when moving, the range of motion in this joint is very large. For massive dogs like the Golden Retriever, good condition of the elbow joints is essential.

Among the reasons for non-adherence and fragmentation of the coronal process of the ulna, there is no doubt hereditary predisposition. This is indicated primarily by the fact that a considerable number of breeds do not have this disease at all. Unfortunately, Golden Retrievers are not one of them. The factor that aggravates the degree of damage is the unbalanced feeding of the puppy. Overweight, and, oddly enough, an excessive amount of calcium in the diet. Thus, it is much safer to raise puppies of this breed on prepared rations appropriate for the breed type.

Fragmentation of the coronoid process can be called an adolescent problem, since the first signs of the disease appear in adolescence - after 6 months. The puppy develops a limp on the front limb. Often the first manifestation is preceded by a large physical load or an unsuccessful jump. Based on this, the owner of the animal believes that a "sprain" has occurred that does not require treatment. However, the dog continues to limp for a week or two. Often, when lying down, the puppy bends the wrist and licks the wrist joint. On the basis of this symptom, it is concluded that it was this joint that suffered and that tight bandaging of the innocent wrist is undertaken.

If, with a one-sided lesion, the owner of the animal does not immediately go to the doctor, but at least knows about the existence of a problem in his dog, then the two-way process is much more insidious. Not everyone pays attention to the fact that after 6 months before that a lively and agile puppy turned into a lazy bumpkin. Instead of running with other dogs, he lies down on the ground after a few minutes of walking, gets up reluctantly, he is in a bad mood, when he tries to play with him, he snarls, squeals when he is taken by the front paws. Since when moving such a dog experiences severe pain in the front limbs, then, trying to reduce the load on them and pain, the dog brings the hind limbs under the body more, changing the setting of which makes it necessary to consult a doctor.

On clinical examination of a dog with elbow disease, either lameness or unnaturally associated movements of the forelegs are noticed. The affected joint is swollen. Flexion of the joint disturbs the animal, the dog squeals and resists. Often the doctor has to prove to the owner that it is the elbow, not the wrist, that is hurting his dog. Non-adhesion and fragmentation of the coronoid process is characterized by swelling on the inside of the elbow joint and pain when pressed in this place. The final diagnosis allows you to make an X-ray examination. A minimum of two x-rays are required: frontal and lateral projections. In a direct projection on the inner side of the ulna, characteristic changes are revealed - the coronoid process at the base is separated from the ulna by a line similar to a crack. In the later stages, along the edges of the articular surfaces of the elbow joint, bony growths are detected, that is, signs of incipient and already irreversible deforming arthritis.

Conservative, that is, non-surgical, treatment of non-adhesion and fragmentation of the coronoid process can be successful only in a small number of cases, since it does not eliminate the causes of the disease at all. In the presence of a slight lameness, a weak painful reaction to flexion of the elbow joint and a radiographically confirmed correct location of the coronoid process without signs of deforming arthritis in other parts of the joint, anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotectors may be prescribed. Unfortunately, often, despite the temporary cessation of lameness with natural increase in body weight and physical exertion, lameness recurs, so conservative treatment is often undertaken only so that the dog owner is convinced that surgery is inevitable.

Surgical treatment is undertaken only after the completion of the formation of the elbow joint, that is, as a rule, not earlier than 8 months of age. Using surgical treatment over the past 10 years, we have developed an extremely low-traumatic technique for extracting fragments from the elbow joint. Passing into the joint bypassing important anatomical structures, without affecting its ligamentous apparatus, we have the opportunity to conduct a complete revision of the internal parts of the elbow joint practically without causing additional damage and without decreasing its stability in the future. We consider the wide opening of the elbow joint with temporary separation of the ligaments described in foreign literature to be unacceptably traumatic.

Separately, it is necessary to dwell on arthroscopic operations on joints in dogs. First, the benefits of these operations have not been fully proven in medicine either. Secondly, their low trauma is also in doubt, since in addition to the introduction of a relatively rather large optical system into the joint, instruments are also carried out through separate punctures to perform the actual surgical technique. Well, and last but not least, it is necessary to mention the several hundred thousand euros that are necessary to purchase such equipment, and the inevitable increase in the cost of manipulation as a result.

As a result of correct access, a good opportunity is created for the complete removal of all bone fragments. In addition, careful scraping of the decaying articular cartilage is necessary. At the end of the operation, the joint cavity is washed to completely remove solid particles and cartilage decay products.

Despite the minimal possibility of complications, the result of surgical treatment is usually good or even excellent. In the days following the operation, the dog is lame less than before the operation. Unfortunately, some owners feel that their animal is already healthy and allow excessive freedom, which can provoke a temporary deterioration. Thus, two weeks of rest after surgery is highly desirable. In most cases, surgery is sufficient to completely solve the problem, and no other treatment is prescribed. However, with combined lesion of the elbow joint, postoperative conservative treatment is sometimes necessary.

A few words must be said about cases of late conversion. Sometimes, for various reasons, an adult dog who has developed irreversible deforming arthritis is referred to a doctor. Foreign manuals write that operation in such dogs is not promising, and large doses of unsafe pain medications are prescribed for life. Our experience shows that such an attitude is incorrect. Yes, surgery in such a situation does not make the joint new and healthy. But removing fragments always improves the situation significantly. The animal either stops limping, or the frequency of exacerbations of arthritis is significantly reduced and the use of large doses of medication is not required.

In conclusion, given the prevalence of problems in the elbow joint in Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Cane Corso, German Shepherds and some other breeds, a routine examination of puppies at the age of 7-8 months is necessary, even if the owners do not notice anything wrong. A simple clinical examination, flexion tests and, in doubtful cases, an X-ray examination allow a timely diagnosis and not bring the disease to an irreversible stage.