Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

My Siberian Husky has wounds on his front leg elbows. What are they?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Siberian Husky | Male

Hi my siberian husky has these two wounds behind his elbow on his front legs one on each side. I was wondering if you could help and tell me what they are? Thank You. I posted a similar question earlier and the answer was very helpful just my picture was blurry. Please Thank You

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Ana M, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 28th, 2018

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Sierra. She appears to have developed calluses on her elbows. This is common from sleeping on rough surfaces. Provide her with soft places to sleep. If the elbows are cracked or bleeding, then she will need to see her veterinarian for a medication. I hope this information helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 28th, 2018

    Your picture is a little blurry and it's tough to orient the pictures without seeing a little more of the legs, but the pictures to me look like an infected or irritated elbow callous. If these wounds are at the back point of the elbow, it's possible that Sierra had developed a callous in the area from laying down, which is normal. The callouses however can become infected or irritated if he is licking them or if there was something irritating that he was laying on. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine these areas in person since treatment may be necessary.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has these two sore looking wound on his front legs can you tell what it is? Please Thank You
Your picture is a little blurry and it's tough to orient the pictures without seeing a little more of the legs, but the pictures to me look like an infected or irritated elbow callous. If these wounds are at the back point of the elbow, it's possible that Sierra had developed a callous in the area from laying down, which is normal. The callouses however can become infected or irritated if he is licking them or if there was something irritating that he was laying on. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine these areas in person since treatment may be necessary.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
I found this spot on our 8 month old German Shepherd Husky mix this morning. Normal appetite, normal energy level, nothing else out of the ordinary. I haven't observed him licking or biting at it either. It is on his left front elbow
Given the appearance and location, it looks as though this is just Fenrir's elbow callus. Oftentimes elbow calluses can have a tiny bit of dry, white scaling as the skin normally turns over. Calluses tend to form over high pressure areas, like elbows, to protect the skin. Large breed dogs in particular tend to develop more calluses than smaller dogs simply due to the weight and pressure placed when they lay on hard surfaces. As long as Fenrir continues to walk normally, seem comfortable, and the skin isn't red or having discharge, I don't see any cause for concern here. As he gets older, I wouldn't be surprised if the callus gets a little bit bigger. I hope that everything goes well!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dogs elbows ended up like this almost over night . He is a XL bull about 120 lbs sleeps inside on couch and is never on concrete .. when the sores first showed up he was on his hind legs dunking out of our concrete fountain and came in with small
Hello, elbow & hock calluses, or hygromas, are common on most large breed dogs, regardless if they spend their time on a couch or concrete. There is very little muscle under the skin in these areas, so the skin is easily damaged. Often with time, the skin toughens up & no longer become easily damaged. In the meantime, Koba may need antibiotics, or gentle cleansing of the area with an antibacterial wipe, such as Hibiclens. Then talk to your vet about the use of additional padding, or protective braces for his elbows. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My parents senior GSD (rescue a year ago) has thick, crusty, gray/black elbows. Yesterday a chunk of the thickened skin came out, down to the raw, and bled profusely. Today the other elbow has done the same. What causes the sudden dislodging and othe
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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My husky dog's elbows are soring, What over the counter ointment or medication can i buy? Is it okay if i cover it with bandages or an elbow pad?
If Tyler presents sore on both elbows, you can certainly apply a padded dressing if he tolerates it. If not, you might want to make sure he is always lying on a padded surface such as soft bedding or carpets. To protect and moisturise the skin on the elbows you can use coconut oil three times a day.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
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 granula
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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has extremely dry and scabbed up elbows. What can I do to help get rid of this? He has hexachor-k wipes for a different rash she gets on his stomach would this help?
Hello, and thank you for your question. Large breed dogs commonly develop calluses on their elbows as they age. It may be that you are seeing the formation of these calluses. However, if he is scratching or licking at the elbows, or if you are noticing redness or discharge in the area, then it may be an infection that warrants a vet visit and medication. If it is only dry and flaky and Rosco is unbothered, you can try applying a barrier cream such as vaseline to protect the area from trauma, and also provide him with plenty of soft bedding to rest his elbows on when he is sleeping. This may help to prevent trauma to the elbows as they gradually form a callus. I hope this helps, and that Rosco is well!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, 1 of my huskies has calluses on his elbow and a few on his feet. He has had a sudden increase of activity to improve his weight. Is there an ointment or cream we can use?
You can try a product such as Bag Balm or Elbow Butter for the elbow calluses. Make sure he doesn't lick the lotion off though. Padded bedding or soft areas to lay will also slow or prevent the formation of calluses. You can try Mushers Secret ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/mushers-secret-paw-protection-balm ) to protect his paws.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Mya has some dark spots on her legs and they don't seem to be getting any better...is this something that we should be worried about??? What could be causing these spots to appear?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! It is hard to see well on these pictures but these look like calluses at the elbow. These are just basically the result of pressure on bony protuberances like the elbow. These are very common in large breed dogs like Labrador Retrievers. You can add more bedding for her to lay down. Otherwise, if no discharge or inflammation occur, it is ok to just monitor this. Good luck and have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My pup’s elbows have been red for a while. She hasn’t been in pain from them. They just look like maybe she’s rubbed them too much? Is this a skin issue I should be concerned about or find a supplement from the pet store?
Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. Elbows are a common area where we see calluses forming and excessive friction can cause them to become redeemed, thick and dry. In severe cases, dogs can develop a fluid filled swelling called a hygroma. I would recommend Biobalm and apply this to the elbows on a daily basis. You can find this product online. I hope this helps! If the elbows worsen, I would habe your vet take a look at the skin to make sure it is not a rash. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via consultation if needed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored