Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Gout causing joint pain in four dogs and one cat
By Kim, Hyo-Sung et al.·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2022·Department of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, South Korea·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Case Report: Articular Gout in Four Dogs and One Cat.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old mixed-breed dog was brought in for limping due to unexplained joint pain. After various tests, including joint fluid analysis, the vet found crystals indicating gout, a condition previously thought to only affect humans. The dog was treated with a medication to lower uric acid levels, and while one dog did not show symptoms for three years, another sadly passed away. This case highlights that gout can occur in pets and should be considered when diagnosing joint issues.
People also search for: dog limping treatment · gout in dogs · joint pain in pets · dog arthritis symptoms · cat joint problems treatment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is widespread prejudice in veterinary medicine that gout does not occur in non-human mammalians. However, we recently discovered monosodium urate crystals in the synovial fluid obtained from a few dogs and a cat. Since it is the definitive and gold standard to diagnose gout, we report these cases as newly emerging diseases in companion animals. CASE PRESENTATION: Four dogs and one cat were presented at our hospital because of lameness due to an unknown cause. Even after the routine examinations, including radiographic imaging, laboratory examination, and arthrocentesis, we were unable to find a clear cause of polyarthritis. However, we later discovered monosodium urate crystals in the synovial fluid of the animals, confirmed by polarized microscopy. In one of the two dogs treated with immunosuppressants, the disease relapsed, and the other did not show any symptoms for 3 months. The other two dogs were treated with xanthine oxidase inhibitor, where one died, and the other did not show any symptoms for 3 years. The cat was treated with drainage and intra-articular dexamethasone injection, but the disease recurred after 6 months. CONCLUSION: This is the first report to confirm that articular gout can occur in dogs and cats. Care must be taken not to neglect needle-shaped materials in the synovial fluid. Gout should also be included in the differential diagnosis of arthritis and further research is needed in these animals.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35558881/