Swollen Elbows

FLASH!

Here is the latest info (2007) that I have found - it is a product called Microlactin derived from a milk substance and works great for inflammation. It is packaged under a human label called MICROLACTIN - which you can purchase at www.firstchoicenaturals.com
Dose according to the bottle for an adult. That means double dose for two weeks then you can drop back to a normal dose.

I have have had several people report great results with Microlactin in reducing elbow swelling as well as orthopedic problems. I have used it on my female with a shoulder problem and she has done well and the 3rd week on the product is when I really saw a difference.

It is my experience that swollen elbows has nothing to do with laying on a hard surface. In fact, my only experience with it was in one litter and 6 of the puppies came up with a hygroma, and strangely enough, all within the same week, around 7 months of age. They all lived in different homes, were on different diets and all were living in the lap of luxury and not sleeping on hard floors. All of them reabsorbed within 3 months, which made me think this is probably a developmental problem in certain lines. It is minor, considering what serious things can go wrong in this breed. I would try to stay away from surgery, I know that is a last resort and people I know that have done surgery wished after they had tried something else.

Below are some suggestions from breeders…discuss them with your vet.

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2 oz of DMSO and 2ml of Dexamethsone mixed together and rubbed on the area AM and PM, wear gloves or use a bottle dobber like they used for shoe polish.

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OR one breeder writes:

I have had 100% success using a drawing salve with Ichthammol ointment on the elbow twice a day. It takes some time for it to go down but I have never had one return once it is down. It can be purchased at a drugstore. It is a black ointment and they need to be put out in the yard or confined for a while after applying.

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OR another breeder writes:

I have had terrific success with a product called Lasonil made by Bayer over the years. I had a bitch that had a terrible problem with one of her elbows(she was returned to her breeder in this condition, and we took her on)
Vets suggested surgery. My mother got me onto this product as she had used it on another bitch with great results. Anyway Libby had the ointment applied twice daily for a month and it disappeared never to return

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