Dog elbow calluses are rough patches of skin that develop naturally. The pressure points on a dog’s elbow don’t have a lot of shock absorption and, over time, that bony area develops a thick layer of skin to protect itself.
How to Recognize a Dog Elbow Callus
Pressure point calluses are more common in large breeds with short hair.
The fur over the pressure point completely wears away leaving a thick, rough patch of skin. The area has a greyish appearance and is leathery to touch.
Dog elbow calluses are not painful, just unsightly.
Why You Should Treat a Dog Elbow Callus
The skin is an organ that protects us, and our dogs, from the outside world. It protects the bones, muscles, and internal organs.
The skin also helps regulate body temperature. Dogs, like us, are prone to skin conditions that can compromise health.
A dog elbow callus is nothing to worry about unless the skin cracks and opens. An open wound risks bacterial infection.
The No-Fail Way to Treat Dog Elbow Callus
Vitamin E Capsules
Visit any department store or specialized pet store and you’ll find a variety of skin creams and conditioners formulated for dogs.
Many claim to be all natural and some have antimicrobial properties thought to help ward off, or treat, mild infection. There are creams that soothe itchy skin and products designed to ward of flea and ticks.
When it comes to treating dog elbow callus, you want something that is:
a. Designed to deeply penetrate the skin
b. Is safe for dogs
c. Proven to work
d. Inexpensive
The best thing to use is vitamin E oil applied directly to the skin. You don’t have to buy the most expensive supplements out there, either. In fact, you don’t even need to purchase it from a pet store. Any vitamin E in capsule-form will work.
Dog Food with Vitamin E
These days there are specially formulated dog foods for every breed and condition.
TruDog, for example, carries a range of foods supplemented with things like Vitamin E and omega 3 fatty acids.
These are all great choices to complement your dog’s diet, but nothing will work as fast as applying it directly to the skin.
Hygromas – The OTHER Pressure Point Problem.
Occasionally, dogs develop something called a hygroma. It’s a lot like a blister in humans, except it forms over joints subjected to repeated pressure.
Hygromas are easily treated by draining the fluid from them. Preventing dog elbow callus or hygroma from recurring is difficult to do.
Providing a soft bed can help, but it’s not always the answer.
To sum it up, the best way to treat dog elbow callus is by regularly rubbing pure vitamin E oil into the rough skin. A callus on its own is nothing to worry about. However, if you see any signs of infection (redness, swelling), contact your veterinarian for guidance.
Large dogs are more at risk of developing elbow calluses over time, and sometimes all the soft beds in the world won’t prevent it.
Once a dog has an elbow callus, it’s unlikely to go away. Vitamin E oil will go a long way in keeping the skin hydrated and supple, but unless your dog totally avoids hard surfaces, it’s probably not going to be a cure.
I hope you were able to learn something from this post and I hope you’ll come back again. There are plenty more posts that you might be interested in, including Mast Cell Tumor Dog Life Expectancy
Discover more about the various skin conditions that afflict dogs including Lick Granuloma in Dogs 11 Potent Treatments
