Elbow dysplasia encompasses several developmental conditions causing forelimb lameness and progressive arthritis in large breed dogs, with welfare implications for chronic pain and the long-term management required.
Elbow dysplasia welfare involves both the acute pain of developmental joint pathology and the chronic pain of progressive osteoarthritis that follows. Dogs with ED may show lameness from 4 months of age - a significant welfare impairment during a period that should involve active development and play. Pain management is essential from diagnosis, and surgical intervention in early cases improves long-term outcomes by reducing joint instability and fragmentary debris. Long-term welfare management requires multimodal analgesia, weight management, and modification of exercise to maintain fitness without exacerbating joint disease. The breeding database approach is a welfare prevention strategy that can reduce ED prevalence over generations.