"bed sores" or callused areas on elbows and knees? Treatment options

[Lorraine Bromley]

Hi there. I am having a medical issue with my 17 year old lab shep x. She has had callussed areas on her knees for many years as she is an old farm dog that layed out on the porch for many years before moveing into town and getting a better bed. But they are really becoming a concern as they are getting bigger she is licking at them and they are now open areas like bed sores. She is on medication for arthritis and seems to be fine for her age. She always gets complements on how young she looks!! I doubt any of you doodle owners are likely going through this but maybe you have some ideas?

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

How about cortisone cream? I would ask the vet though.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I would worry about them getting infected. You could try triple antibiotic ointment but I would speak to your vet.

[Lorraine Bromley]

I have been using polysporin triple and I have dressed it.

[Debbie, Brianna and Duncan]

Hi, sorry your girl is having troubles. We have an older dog with this trouble too. Our German Shepherd is in the late stages of Degenerative Myelopathy and in the earlier periods of this disease she would drag on the tops of her back feet..our Vet prescribed an ointment called Ching Wan Hung for healing on any sores on her feet. It is very, very good and amazingly quick too to heal up the sore. We apply it 2-3 times a day to any open wound or raw area. Now she is developing hip bed sores and this ointment is working very well on those also. Hope you can get her some relief. If you check it out, it can be found online, but I would check with your vet if it would be ok with her other meds.

[F, Calla & Luca]

When I was sitting for my cousin's elderly lab a couple of years ago, he had something like that since he was minimally mobile for a while after dislocating his hip. Since I couldn't get him to the vet , she suggested twice daily peroxide rinses until he could be brought in which resulted in some healing and no infection. I tried to wrap the area but he removed the wraps regularly. Later the vet treated the area and wrapped it in those elastic like bandages until it healed.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

We had a lab and he had the sores on his front elbows and yes, one did get infected. We had to put him on antibiotics and rub a cream on them. This was quite a while ago...way before we got our Gracie Doodle!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is very common in GSDs who have spent a lot of time lying on pavement and other hard surfaces. You see it in shelter dogs a lot, too.
I personally would consult a vet for this, but there seems to be a lot of wisdom and experience here in the other replies.
I just have never had succcess using ointments or creams on dogs, and I know that sometimes dressings are not advised as being exposed to the air helps promote healing in some cases. At least, that's what we've been told when Jack had injured his pads.

[Kyoko]

I just looked at the pictures of your Lab / Shepard Mix. She does look great!! My older dog is 15, and doing fairly well for his age as well!
I hope she continue to do well beside this sore.... I wish I had some ideas for the remedy....

[Lorraine Bromley]

I am still using the polysporin. The dressing idea didn't go over very well. I think it was just the fact that I had it too tight. I did get a roll of bandages that is like a foam. It sticks to itself so it stays put. You just have to tape the end off. But I still can't get her to sleep on her mattress all the time. She is there now. But I wish that was the only place she would sleep. I have tried putting mats and towels all over the regulas sleeping areas but then she won't lie there. So I guess I am just glad she is on her mattress some of the time.
The funny thing is, that I caught Neely licking Jazzies elbows the other night. Jazzie was just standing there letting her. It was probably Neely just wanting the polysporin but it did look great and so loving that I am telling myself it is the best medicine!!