Dutch Shepherd Forum

HI everyone! We have a mali dutch cross, who just turned 7 months old, he is doing bite work and narcotics work. He has fluid on his elbows, and we have been to the vet twice for meds to help it go down. One has gone down, but the other not so much. Our last option if this new medication does not work is to drain it...we dont want to do that becasue I am afarid of an infection happening. Any thoughts? Also has anybody have this happen to them!? T

Thanks!!!!

Cant remember hearing of something like that before.

Has the vet mentioned that infection is a big problem to worry about? If it's a vet done drain with proper prep, cleanup, and antibiotics, I don't see too much to fear in ways of infection. I've seen plenty of drains put in and when done by a qualified vet, there was no complications. I would opt for the drain since the meds aren't working.

Swollen elbows was one of many symptoms of my Lab's severe allergies. Once we had the allergies under control we never had a problem with the elbows. This required changing vets from one that preferred to constantly drain the elbows to one that suggested and performed the allergy tests.

Now I am not saying that allergies is the issue here, but just something to consider. They can manifest in many ways.

I have seen a few Dutch and a few Malinois get hygromas. It is just a pouch of fluid over the elbow - usually trauma related. A lot of police dogs get them from resting on their elbows in patrol cars and bouncing around on hard surfaces while in that position. But any dog can get them. I have never had them be a problem, and never seen one not eventually go down. The biggest chance of infection would be IF they did drain it and introduce bacteria into the sterile environment. If they aren't uncomfortable, then I would ride it out as long as possible and make sure your dog has some sort of "cushy" option to lay on. I am a BIG fan of Kurranda beds for the working dogs.

Thank you all for teh advice, Our vet has him on medacam. It has done wonders, and he said not to worry, that it comes with him because he throws himself on our tile. Even though, he has a very comfy bed, and our bed lol!

Great! Maybe some elbow pads??

Oh my gosh, so funny you said that! My boyfriend actually found some online for dogs. We are going to look into getting them for him!

Chessie17 wrote:Oh my gosh, so funny you said that! My boyfriend actually found some online for dogs. We are going to look into getting them for him!

HA Thats funny !!! We will need pictures !!!

Oh yes!!! You will get some lol!!! Poor watson