My dog's elbow calluses are cracking, bleeding, and look infected. What now?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Female | spayed | 7 years and 7 months old | 150 lbs
My 7.5 yr old spayed female, 150lb newfoundland - king shepherd has huge (3-4 inch) warty calluses on her elbows that have started cracking & bleeding. I have bandaged the right/worse one with antiseptic and it got softer and MORE "oozy" and granular, and I think infected. There is now swelling down at her wrist. Vet tomorrow but anything you can tell me to help ....appreciated THX
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 28th, 2017
Start doing warm water and Epsom salt compresses several times a day. Try to keep her laying in soft areas instead of tile, concrete etc (easier said than done). She will likely need antibiotics, And these can take a while to heal. There is a product called “Dog Leggs” that you might want to look up that protect the elbows. A few of my patients have done well with these. Best of luck and be patient. They take a while to heal and can be frustrating. Thank you for using Pet Coach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on January 24th, 2017
It's tough to say without seeing these, but they sound like decubital ulcers. These often form on the pressure points (like elbows) of older large breed dogs that are a bit arthritic and don't move around well. They often become infected and painful, and need antibiotics as well as pain relieving medications. Your parent's vet can make bandages out of sponge material that pads the area around the ulcer and lets the center part heal. If I'm wrong and that's not what these are JoJo will need x-rays to look at the joints themselves, and possibly a needle aspirate of the lesions.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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