Urgent advice please regarding protection of dog’s elbow

[danda]

My very old dog spends a lot of time sleeping and has developed a large hairless patch on his elbow. It is starting to look raw and he is licking it. Advice please as to what I can put on it to protect it that if licked will not be harmful. I need to buy today, thanks for any help

 

[Clodagh]

If he has a comfortable bed sleeping should not be causing this. I wonder if he is licking as it is arthritic and painful? Therefore causing the hair loss? Is he on any meds?

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

You might need to break the habit by using a neck cushion or buster collar.

 

[skinnydipper]

My very old dog spends a lot of time sleeping and has developed a large hairless patch on his elbow. It is starting to look raw and he is licking it. Advice please as to what I can put on it to protect it that if licked will not be harmful. I need to buy today, thanks for any help

He could be developing pressure sores on his elbows due to lying in the same position. It is possible to buy dog elbow protectors though I don't know how effective they are.

A comfy bed such as a memory foam slab might help. A sheepskin rug would reduce pressure on the joints.

I agree with Clodagh, dogs will lick an area due to pain. If he is on pain relief for sore joints, is it sufficient to keep him comfortable? You could ask your vet to review his meds.

 

[danda]

Thank you for your advice, he is on pain meds already. He does not like to stay in his basket and often gets out to lie on the tiled kitchen floor. it is not hot weather and our house is not over heated. I had a memory foam bed for a previous dog but he doesn’t like it.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Buster collar/comfy collar to break the cycle and Botanica cream.

 

[skinnydipper]

Thank you for your advice, he is on pain meds already. He does not like to stay in his basket and often gets out to lie on the tiled kitchen floor. it is not hot weather and our house is not over heated. I had a memory foam bed for a previous dog but he doesn’t like it.

Some arthritic dogs find cool floors soothing, so seeking out a cool floor could be an indication that his joints are painful.

No harm in asking your vet if it is time for some additional pain relief.

 

[Clodagh]

Some arthritic dogs find cool floors soothing, so seeking out a cool floor could be an indication that his joints are painful.

No harm in asking your vet if it is time for some additional pain relief.

I second this, my old girl started lying on the kitchen floor when she had a choice of many beds. A tweak of the meds and she now goes on to her bed.

 

[Moobli]

My old border collie would always choose to lie on hard surfaces despite having soft bed and he suffered with a hygroma on his elbow. It was a hairless patch that filled with fluid, which the vet had to aspirate with a needle to release the fluid. If there is no fluid around your dog's elbow it is more likely a pressure sore. You need to manage both pressure sores and hygromas similarly - make sure the dog moves position regularly and encourage them to use an orthopaedic dog bed. For pressure sores you can use elastic bandages or a compression sleeve if your dog will accept it. I also used to rub vaseline jelly into the area which seemed to bring some relief.