A three-year-old Doberman presented to us at West Midlands Veterinary Referrals with a large hygroma, fluid filled sac over the lateral elbow.
This was removed but is highly likely to recur if the underlying cause is not addressed; this is usually big dogs lying on hard floors, with skin trapped between bone pressure points and a hard unforgiving floor. Restricting the dogs to a soft bedded pen overnight is often required to stop them from getting up and choosing to lie on hard tiles
10th October 2018
She was a bit crafty at getting at the dressing and a small hot spot developed over the point of the elbow.
Several dressing changes with the “donut” used to protect the point of the elbow and a splint on the front of the elbow to temporarily reduce flexion, and about 3 weeks later the wound was solid enough to leave open to the air.