Dog Hygromas – A Big Dog Problem, But Are They Dangerous?

Many owners of large or giant breed dogs have encountered hygromas, though they can affect dogs of any size or breed (albeit less typically in small dogs). If you’re unfamiliar with hygromas at all, or if your dog has been diagnosed with one, your first question is certainly, “What is it, and is it dangerous for my dog?”

Hygromas are essentially a type of benign cyst, comprised of a fibrous-tissue sac filled with fluid. They most often occur on leg joints, in particular where points like elbows or hips make frequent and prolonged contact with any hard surfaces where the dog lays. While hygromas are not tumors and involve no malignant tissue – and in fact can cause the dog little or no discomfort – they can become quite large and risk becoming infected. At that point, significant discomfort does set in. No matter what stage of their development, hygromas should be treated by your vet promptly.

How to Treat and Prevent Hygromas

Long story short…padding. Any hard floor surface where your dog regularly lays should be covered with padding, whether carpet with an upgraded underpad or interlocking rubber tiles like you’d see in a gym’s exercise studio. Better yet, or in conjunction with the flooring application, a large padded dog bed is very effective for relieving hygromas and preventing them altogether. But there more means at your disposal…

The DogLeggs^TM Solution

In addition to padded flooring and bedding, adjustable and full-length DogLeggs^TM limb pads relieve, reduce and prevent hygromas at all times, not just when your dog lays down. In fact, we developed DogLeggs^TM when our founders’ own dog, a 10-year-old Rottweiler named Greif, developed a troublesome hygroma on a front elbow joint. Within just five days of wearing his prototype DogLeggs^TM pad, Greif’s swelling had dramatically reduced and his activity level (and buoyant personality) returned to normal. Today, the DogLeggs^TM product line has grown substantially. Our products are made-to-measure for your dog, and are constructed from three-dimensional fleece-faced, breathable, stretch fabric that has wicking properties. VELCRO® fasteners make them simple to put on and remove, and allow for easy adjustment and optimum comfort for your dog.

Visit our About Us and Shop pages to learn more about the DogLeggs^TM story, and how our products can make improving your dog’s quality of life as easy as “a walk in the park.”