Elbow dysplasia is a common cause of forelimb lameness in large breed dogs, causing chronic pain that demands both treatment and preventive breeding practices.
Dogs with elbow dysplasia experience forelimb lameness beginning typically at 5-18 months of age when bone fragments or cartilage flaps cause joint pain. Without treatment, progressive osteoarthritis develops through adulthood. The welfare burden extends over years as managed arthritis causes periodic flares of severe pain. OFA elbow screening of breeding stock and avoiding breeding from dysplastic individuals is the most impactful welfare intervention - reducing disease prevalence in the next generation.