Bursitis in dogs: symptoms and treatment

One common condition that can afflict our animal companions, especially dogs, is bursitis. It happens when the bursa, a tiny sac filled with fluid that cushions joints, inflames. The signs of this condition should be recognized by pet owners, who should then seek the appropriate care as it can limit your dog’s mobility and cause discomfort.

It is important to pay attention to particular symptoms in order to diagnose bursitis in dogs. When moving or being touched in the affected area, dogs may exhibit pain. They may also avoid using the limb at all or limp. Comprehending these indications is essential for prompt diagnosis and efficacious therapy.

Fortunately, bursitis can be managed with a variety of treatment options. Your dog’s quality of life can be enhanced by treating this condition, which can involve anything from rest and anti-inflammatory drugs to physical therapy and, in certain situations, surgery. Having knowledge about bursitis will enable you to provide your cherished pet with the best care possible.

What is bursitis?

When we talk about bursitis, we’re talking about inflammation and consequent swelling of the synovial bursa. Such a bursa is included with every composition because it functions as a type of airbag that is filled with a unique liquid. In addition to preventing injuries of all kinds, the synovial bursa lessens friction that builds up between tendons, muscles, and joints.

Inflammation of a unique sac that shields the joint from harm is caused by bursitis.

Although a dog’s body contains numerous synovial bursa, most veterinarians observe that the bursa protecting the knee and elbow joints are more prone to inflammation.

The rate of development of the disease and its consequences

Dogs that have bursitis face an immediate risk to their lives because it can render them immobile very quickly. Furthermore, this illness impacts the animal’s overall health by targeting the nervous system. Occasionally, two weeks may be all that Bursit takes to "take" a limb from your pet. The disease can cover both one and several paws of the animal.

The type of bursitis determines how quickly it progresses.

Nevertheless, this illness is treatable and can be cured; if the animal sees a veterinarian in a timely manner, surgery may be able to save it.

Causes of occurrence

• protracted infectious diseases;
• joint injuries experienced by the dog (both in the distant and recent past);
• Autoimmune pathologies, such as lupus, bubbles, rheumatoid polyarthritis, etc.d.;
• undetected allergy to any irritant;
• excessive physical activity that exhausts the animal.

People who have a tired body are more likely to get bursitis.

We can infer from the given list that it is not possible to fully protect a dog against bursitis. But keeping an eye on the animal’s health and scheduling regular veterinary checkups will minimize the likelihood that this pathology will manifest.

Risk group

When discussing the animals that are most prone to bursitis, it is important to mention all large breed dogs. Not only can large breeds have weak hearts and trouble with their circulatory systems, but they can also occasionally have joint problems. Furthermore, bursitis can sometimes worsen to the point where owners of affected pets are forced to put them to sleep due to hindlimb failure.

Bursitis is more common in larger people than in their smaller relatives.

• Caucasian Shepherd;
• Tibetan Mastiff;
• Labrador;
• St. Bernard;
• Leonberger;
• Newfoundland.

Chihuahua, Yorkshire, Havanese and other "pocket dogs" rarely suffer from bursitis, since the musculoskeletal system undergoes much less stress.

Types of bursitis

• aseptic;
• acute;
• chronic.

When it comes to the condition affecting the elbow joints, acute types of bursitis are more common. Hock joint bursitis is a condition that can go undiagnosed for a long time and only cause mild lameness after strenuous exercise or walks.

There are blood inclusions mixed with exudate inside the bursa.

• serous;
• serofibrous;
• fibrinous;
• ossifying.

The kind of fluid (or exudate) that has accumulated in the inflammatory synovial bursa is the basis for this classification.

• aseptic is more typical for closed joint wounds and is not accompanied by the penetration of pus from the outside. More often found in dogs with problems with the immune system;
• purulent is characterized by the occurrence of suppuration in the synovial bursa and rapid progression. As a rule, it occurs in old individuals, which in most cases are then euthanized so as not to cause suffering to the animal.

Elbow joint involvement is more common when purulent bursitis is present.

False bursitis is a condition that can occasionally occur, causing a lump to form without any discomfort or movement restriction for the animal.

Symptoms

Bursitis can present with a variety of symptoms because it can be acute or chronic. While chronic bursitis can last for months and cause the dog great discomfort, acute bursitis is more common in the purulent form and can be dangerous.

Bursitis-affected dogs become disinterested in their surroundings.

The following are some common symptoms shared by all forms of bursitis:

• the appearance of a "swelling" as a result of a change in the shape of the joint: in simple terms, a lump forms on the knee or elbow of the animal. The reason for the appearance of such a lump is swelling of the walls of the synovial bag and its increase due to the ingress of exudate. To the touch, such a neoplasm is not solid, liquid can be felt inside it;

The resultant lump may feel hot to the touch or neutral.

The first concerning sign of bursitis is lameness.

Without veterinary care, this purulent formation eventually becomes visible. Consequently, the sac leaks either pus or ichor mixed with blood. Not only can opening the synovial bursa result in harm to the limbs, but it also runs the risk of infection from the open wound.

What diseases can it be confused with?

Bursitis is easily confused in its early stages of development even though its symptoms are readily apparent. This disease bears many similarities to two serious conditions: arthritis and dysplasia, in terms of symptoms.

Dysplasia

Similar to bursitis, dysplasia is primarily seen in large individuals and is thought to be inherited. It can also be brought on by growth stimulants, which are used to "feed" exhibition animals. A disproportionate increase in bones and muscles (with faster muscle development) is the cause of dysplasia.

Unfortunately, dysplasia cannot be cured by modern medicine; it can only be slowed down in its progression.

Arthritis

An animal suffering from arthritis will lame and draw in the affected limb due to joint inflammation. Dogs suffering from purulent diseases also develop fistulas from which exudate leaks. Similar to bursitis, severe cases of arthritis can result in limb amputation or death.

A comparison of an arthritis-affected dog’s and a healthy dog’s bones

First aid for an animal

Since bursitis is difficult to diagnose, it makes no sense for the animal to self-medicate. A thorough examination of the dog and an x-ray are necessary for a veterinarian to establish an accurate diagnosis. It is best to have a specialist come to the house if the movement is causing the pet significant pain. Although this service is more costly than going to the vet alone, it is frequently the only option.

Never let a sick animal rest or sleep on a bare floor.

• stop any training or active play with the dog if it has not done so before;
• provide the animal with soft and voluminous bedding to prevent the swollen joint from coming into contact with a hard, cold floor;
• eliminate all possible drafts;
• refrain from using any compresses. While a compress can be useful for aseptic bursitis, with purulent bursitis it can only harm the dog, contributing to the development of sepsis;
• if fistulas occur, do not try to extract the pus oozing from the affected area under any circumstances.

As soon as the dog exhibits symptoms of bursitis, you should take it to the vet.

Since the acute form can manifest in a matter of days, it is best to seek medical attention as soon as the animal’s lameness becomes apparent, even if it does not cause any outward changes. The owner’s best chance of saving the dog increases with the timing of the call to the veterinarian.

Treatment

Treatment options for bursitis vary depending on the animal’s condition and how far along the disease has progressed. Early diagnosis and conservative treatment are most likely the keys to curing bursitis without surgery.

Treatment of bursitis in the early stages

• The veterinarian applies a pressure bandage to the animal"s paw, which allows the limb to be fixed and does not cause the dog additional pain;
• The animal is prescribed cold compresses: they will narrow the blood vessels and, thus, reduce the blood flow to the inflamed area. After a few days, cold compresses are replaced by hot ones (which are not allowed to be used for purulent bursitis);

A cold compress consists of several layers of fabric and allows for uniform drainage of the affected part of the body

You can restore the sore limb and reduce inflammation by using currents.

Further information on creating a hot compress for a dog can be found below.

Compressing a dog’s body

Surgical intervention

• the surgeon opens the sac and removes the remains of pus, exudate and dead flesh from it;
• the skin at the site of inflammation is sutured in such a way that the empty sac does not interfere with the dog"s movement;
• if the joint has been significantly destroyed, some clinics replace it with a plastic or titanium implant. Unfortunately, such a procedure is quite expensive and is rarely practiced in Russia.

Dogs are operated on primarily when their bursitis is advanced.

Important! Giving the dog time to heal in a hospital after surgery is advised. During the following week, the dog will typically receive injections of hydrocortisone.

Regretfully, not every procedure to remove the synovial sac is successful. Additionally, even in cases where Bursa is far away, the dog may still have inflammatory skin patches that reappear once the seam heals. In this instance, the dog’s condition deteriorates once more, necessitating a second operation, which will make the animal much harder to transfer.

The most hazardous possibility for the illness to develop is fistulas.

Video – Bursis: Symptoms and treatment

Dogs that have bursitis suffer from a painful condition that arises from inflammation of the bursae, which are tiny, fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints. Swelling, limping, and sensitivity in the afflicted area are typical symptoms. Rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, and occasionally physical therapy are the usual forms of treatment to aid in your dog’s recuperation and return of mobility. By being aware of these indicators, you can make sure your pet receives the necessary care.

Recovery

If a recovering dog’s owner keeps a close eye on their progress, the dog may fully recover in as little as two weeks to as much as 1.5 months, depending on the severity of the illness. The owner should remain vigilant even after a notable improvement in pain and edema, as joint healing requires patience and time.

A dog whose elbow joint is bandaged

The dog’s veterinarian will probably recommend a customized corset to correct the dog’s limb position, particularly if the dog had fistulas. Even if the dog is bothered by the corset or the owner believes that the animal has already healed, you should never take the corset off of the animal before time. While purulent bursitis necessitates treatment for five to six weeks, aseptic bursitis resolves in two to four weeks.

Strengthening the immune system

Whether the pet has had surgery or not, most specialists will prescribe immunomodulators to help strengthen the compromised immune system in addition to a corset and compresses. The table below lists the immunomodulators that are currently most in use.

Table: Dog Immunomodulators

Further details regarding "Gamavit" and its usage can be found in a different article on our website.

Incorporate vitamins into the dog’s diet as well, but only after speaking with a physician.

Symptoms	Treatment
Swelling around joints	Rest and ice therapy
Pain or tenderness	Anti-inflammatory medications
Reduced mobility	Physical therapy
Fever	Surgery in severe cases

Dogs who have bursitis may experience discomfort and agony, but most of them will recover completely with the correct care. Early detection of symptoms, such as edema, limping, or resistance to movement, enables timely intervention. Visiting your veterinarian on a regular basis can help identify problems before they get worse.

The standard course of treatment consists of bed rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, and occasionally physical therapy. In more serious situations, your veterinarian may advise surgery or bursa drainage. Since every dog is different, individualized care is necessary for a successful recovery.

Finally, monitoring your dog’s activity level and making sure they have a cozy place to rest can help avert further flare-ups. Dogs can quickly revert to their contented, active selves with the right care.

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