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by minro on 25 May 2012 - 17:05
Looking for experiences that people have had with their GSD's and hygromas. My 9 month old pup has one on his elbow and I would prefer to not have it surgically drained, but would like to do whatever necessary so that it reabsorbs back into his body. Any information would be wonderful, thank you all! :)
by guddu on 25 May 2012 - 20:05
How was the diagnosis made
by Blitzen on 26 May 2012 - 00:05
It will probably need to be drained, but it won't hurt to wait a bit and see if it resolves on its own. In the meantime, provide him with a soft area on which to lie and see if you can discourage him from flopping on a hard floor landing on his elbows. That is normally the cause of a hygroma.
Hygromas are diagnosed clinically, by their appearance. There's no mistaking a hygroma for anything else. Seen one, seen them all.
Hygromas are diagnosed clinically, by their appearance. There's no mistaking a hygroma for anything else. Seen one, seen them all.
by Spooks on 26 May 2012 - 08:05
@guddu
As Blitzen says, you can't mistake a hygroma, we had a rescue Anatolian in that had them on both elbows and she wasn't very old.
Make sure that your pup doesn't lay on hard surfaces, there are plenty of things on the internet to alleviate the pressure on the hygroma... just do a Google search.
eg. http://www.canineangelsinc.com/ I was thinking of something like this that could be adapted to help an arthritic elbow as a type of support.
As Blitzen says, you can't mistake a hygroma, we had a rescue Anatolian in that had them on both elbows and she wasn't very old.
Make sure that your pup doesn't lay on hard surfaces, there are plenty of things on the internet to alleviate the pressure on the hygroma... just do a Google search.
eg. http://www.canineangelsinc.com/ I was thinking of something like this that could be adapted to help an arthritic elbow as a type of support.
by Siantha on 27 May 2012 - 16:05
be cautious draining them. i had sold my male and he developed a cyst on his elbow which looked exactly like a hygroma and the family drained it 3 times. and it kept getting bigger and bigger even with dogleggs finealy i got the dog back took him to my vet did a xray and removed the cyst it had gotten soo big it was gross. but just be sure what it is before u start stuff. the doggleggs are suppos to be great. im useing them now so he dosent scratch the surgical site .
by minro on 01 June 2012 - 19:06
I've done heavy research online and spoken with a few vets... most advised me to wait and see if it goes away, but otherwise will need to be surgically drained. I've also heard a few pet owners say that exercise and warm compresses are beneficial as they increase circulation in the area and can help it absorb back into the body. I guess I'm just curious as to personal experiences with dogs or home remedies that seem to work well...
by Blitzen on 02 June 2012 - 19:06
Minro, I worked for a vet and we saw 5,6 hygromas per year. 95% of them ended up not resolving on their own and needed to be drained. It needs to be done right or they will just fill up with more fluid time after time. Most vets will use a drain and wrap the leg in something like an Ace bandage to keep the area compressed. It won't hurt your dog to wait for a month or so, but I wouldn't count on it not needing surgical intervention. If it were my dog, I'd sit it out for a while as long as it's not painful for the dog.
by gsdland on 03 June 2012 - 00:06
My girl had one when she was around 9 months from flopping down on the concrete, she didnt like her bed, LOL! It resolved on its own, never took her to the vet and from what I read online they dont recommend draining it as it opens up the area for infection. I made sure she was kept on soft surfaces only, put her in her crate with soft bedding and not in the kennel,only the grass yard and it resolved in about 2 months..never an issue and she is now 7 years old.
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