Hygroma

ZaneTheBrain · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:37 pm Post subject: Hygroma

I posted this under 'diseases' but am posting it here as well since it seems more people look at this category, in the hopes of getting input from anyone else that has experience with this.

Zane has a hygroma on his left elbow. It is swollen and is about the size of a golf ball. Apparently it's from him flopping onto the tile floors to lay down and the repeated trauma of that elbow hitting the tile with all of his weight caused inflamation and fluid built up. He lays on his left side most of the time. She said they're common in very large, heavy dogs, especially when it's hot and they flop onto tile floors to cool off.

The vet gave me information about dogleggs.com and I ordered one today. I'm not sure how to describe it-it covers both elbows, is secured across their shoulders, and provides protection and cushion until it heals. It's $100 and I'm going to try to get his new pet insurance to cover it.

The vet said that if it doesn't heal it just gets bigger and bigger. He needs to wear it until it gets better (a few weeks and up to 1-2 months), and I can save it and use it again if it looks like it's coming back. I also told her that since he keeps eating his beds I got him a cooleroo cot bed about a month ago since he can't chew on it. He lays on it with his 'mama blankie' (dark gray fleece blanket that is almost the same color as him-he has had it since he was a puppy and he nurses on it-it's the only blanket/bed that he hasn't destroyed). It doesn't provide much cushioning so she suggested putting a cushiony bed on the cot and see how long that lasts, at least until the swelling goes down. I got him two GIANT cushioned beds at Petsmart, and so far so good. When I've let him check out toys in the store before I buy them they seem to last longer, so I let him lay on them in the store before I bought them....it's worth a shot.

Has anyone else had experience with a hygroma? How long did it last until it went away? Can it lead to other problems? It seems to me that it could cause joint problems or arthritis. The vet said that she has never known of these problems to be a direct cause of one, but that it could be a possibility.

ange165 · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 1:32 am Post subject:

I don't know much about hygromas but they sound very similar to ganglions.. (for human)

If it doesn't get better will the vet drain the fluid? In most cases with ganglions they disappear after being drained. Maybe this could be an option of the elbow pads don't work?

Sounds like he needs to be wrapped in cotton wool, like my baby!!

Weimwayz · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:43 pm Post subject:

Hygromas are very common in large breed dogs. At our clinic we see a ton of great danes, Irish Wolfhounds and Rotties with these. usually happens between 8-18 mnths. They can be caused from lying down on their elbows in the same spot over and over again. All the ones we have had we have not treated with anything and after the dog matures they just seem to go away. I have heard of one having to be removed but it was more because it was causing the dog a lot of discomfort. Most dogs don't even realize they have the growth. So I would just keep my eye on it. They too can get bigger before they get smaller. Keep us posted!

Weimwayz · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:46 pm Post subject:

Oh they can take 1-4 mnths to go away. No they are not linked to other skeletal problems. Though weims are prone to elbow, shoulder and hip dysplasia so it's a good idea to check with your breeder to make sure that all the parents were screened for these and see how the other pups from the littter are making out