How to prevent — and treat — elbow calluses

In this article, I want to talk to you about a very common issue that shouldn’t be underestimated: the formation of elbow calluses in dogs.

First of all, calluses are a thickening of the tissue in a specific area of the dog’s body. One of the most common places they form is right at the elbow, but they can also appear on the hips, hocks, and along the sides of the legs. Some deep-chested breeds can even develop calluses on their sternum.
A callus is the result of the body’s defense mechanism; the skin thickens to protect the bone from constant contact stress.

In the early stages, you might notice a thinning of the fur, revealing skin that may appear dry, flaky, and discolored, and at that point, you might start to see a callus forming.

In fact, even if a dog has a dog bed, a bed, or the entire sofa available, they often lie down on hard, rigid surfaces like the house or terrace floor, and in doing so, they unintentionally press on their elbows. Over time, this leads to the formation of calluses.

Large and short-haired breeds are certainly more prone to elbow calluses due to the weight exerted on the area and the less protection provided by their coat type.
Long or thick fur can certainly soften the impact of the elbow on the ground, but even dogs like Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, or Huskies — to name a few examples — can suffer from them!

Elbow calluses can be itchy and irritating for the dog, but they are usually not painful or dangerous to the dog’s health if treated early.
However, if not treated properly and in time, they can lead to ulcers and infections, not to mention they can eventually crack and bleed.

I also want to emphasize that, as with many other conditions, early diagnosis and intervention are essential to save your dog from unpleasant and potentially painful problems like pressure sores, pyoderma, and bursitis. Fluid-filled sacs can also develop on a dog’s elbows, which can occur instead of or in addition to a callus. These can be infected or non-infected, but be careful: you must go to your trusted veterinarian immediately.

So, here is what you need to do, both to prevent and treat elbow calluses:

• Check your dog’s skin often. By checking the areas subject to stress, you can intervene at the first sign of calluses without running into infections!
• Apply a moisturizing ointment. Daily application of the paw, elbow, and nose ointment will help maintain your dog’s well-being. If you already notice a callus, you can apply the ointment several times a day! Also, if you go to a cafe or restaurant together, bring a comfortable travel bed or quilt to spread on the ground, as I do: it will facilitate healing by keeping the area softer and less in contact with the floor, as well as preventing the formation of further calluses.
• Monitor your dog’s health and weight. Proper nutrition helps both to maintain your dog’s ideal weight, thus reducing stress on the elbows, and to promote the right hydration and nourishment of the tissues.

The paw, elbow, and nose ointment naturally contains shea butter, calendula, chamomile, and lavender flower extract. It has moisturizing, soothing, and nourishing properties, and being of botanical origin, it is easily absorbed by the skin without being greasy. A light but constant application is recommended to achieve the desired results.