TL;DR: Outward-turning elbows (an "east-west" stance) in dogs are typically caused by orthopedic issues like elbow dysplasia and are rarely an emergency unless your dog is in sudden, severe pain or unable to walk.
What causes my dog's elbows to turn outward or appear bow-legged?
If you notice your dog's elbows bowing outward or their paws pointing inward while they walk, it is often described as an 'east-west' stance or a 'bow-legged' appearance. In many cases, this is related to orthopedic conditions such as elbow dysplasia, angular limb deformities, or general joint laxity. It can occur during puppyhood as growth plates develop or in older dogs as a compensatory movement due to discomfort elsewhere.
Is it an emergency if my dog's elbows are turning outward?
- Urgency Level: Low. Generally, seeing your dog's elbows turn outward is not a medical emergency.
- If your dog is still active, eating well, and able to walk—even with a strange gait—you can safely schedule a regular appointment with your veterinarian.
- Seek a more prompt evaluation if the change is sudden and accompanied by severe limping, an inability to bear weight, or signs of intense pain like whimpering.
How do photos or videos help my veterinarian diagnose my dog's gait?
- Visual evidence allows the vet to analyze specific joint rotation in a relaxed environment where symptoms are not masked by adrenaline.
- Capture a video of your dog walking toward and away from the camera on a flat surface.
- Providing gait videos ensures a more accurate and efficient diagnosis, as issues can be intermittent or disappear during a clinic visit.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
In dogs, laterally deviated elbows may be observed in affected elbows, particularly in cases of ununited anconeal process or fragmentation of the medial coronoid process, often accompanied by a restricted range of motion. Lameness develops insidiously between 4 and 8 months of age. Advanced cases may present with osteoarthritis, joint effusion, and crepitus. Diagnosis is confirmed by radiography, including lateral radiographs of the elbow in flexed position. Because the condition can be bilateral, both elbows should be examined.
Chapter: Orthopedics
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1196)