Q: How is it that parents of dogs with clear elbows can produce puppies that go onto develop elbow dysplasia?
A: Unfortunately, conditions such as elbow and hip dysplasia are hereditary conditions, and although two parents may have very good health scores themselves, there may be genes within their breeding lines that can still present in these later generations. Obviously, choosing parents who have good health scores, lowers the probability of the condition becoming apparent in their puppies; however, it does no eliminate the risk altogether.
Other factors which can also be the cause of elbow dysplasia are osteochondrosis (OCD) which is a disease of the joint cartilage. OCD can be hereditary but it can also be the result of nutritional issues, such as over or under supplementation of certain vitamins and minerals, or trauma. Small fractures can also develop in the joint, leading ultimately to elbow dysplasia. These often go unnoticed if they are small hair-line fractures, or the dog is not exhibiting any major signs of discomfort.
Purchasing a puppy from a registered and responsible breeder helps to limit the chance of elbow dysplasia. However, all owners should be aware that this is not a 100% guarantee that elbow dysplasia will not develop. Having said this, there are now many treatment and surgical options available to help alleviate pain and discomfort due to elbow dysplasia, so a diagnosis of the condition can be managed successfully.
