Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog immune-mediated polyarthritis diagnosis and prednisolone doses
By Lucy Jones et al.·Published in American Journal of Veterinary Research·2025·View original on Semantic Scholar →
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Original publication title: Diagnostic tests performed and prescribed prednisolone dose for a dog with immune-mediated polyarthritis vary across veterinary specialties.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old Labrador was brought in for limping and joint swelling, diagnosed with immune-mediated polyarthritis, which is when the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. Different veterinary specialists treated the dog with varying approaches, including different doses of the steroid prednisolone and additional immunosuppressive medications. While the treatment plans differed, the overall success rate in achieving remission after 12 months was similar across the specialists, and side effects from the medications were common but not linked to the treatment methods used.
People also search for: dog limping joint swelling treatment · immune-mediated polyarthritis in dogs · prednisolone side effects in dogs
Abstract
Objective To compare the investigation, management, and outcome, including medication adverse effects, of nonassociative immune-mediated polyarthritis cases when referred to different specialist disciplines. Methods A retrospective observational review of medical records from 4 United Kingdom referral centers (2018 through 2022) was conducted. Dogs were included if they had nondegenerative neutrophilic inflammation in synovial fluid from > 2 joints and associated disease was not evident. Data on clinical signs, diagnostic tests, treatment, and adverse effects were collected. Remission at 12 months and relapse were recorded. Results 83 dogs met the inclusion data. Cases referred to internal medicine underwent more diagnostic procedures, received lower initial prednisolone doses, and were more commonly prescribed adjunctive immunosuppressives compared to neurology (effect size, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.1 to 0.57:OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 0.6 to 216) and orthopedics (effect size, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.53:OR, 4.0; 95% CI, 0.5 to 185). There was no significant difference in the frequency of adverse effects with prednisolone dose, referral service, or adjunct immunosuppressant use. Remission at 12 months was not significantly associated with referral service, corticosteroid dose, or adjunctive immunosuppressant use. Conclusions The management of nonassociative immune-mediated polyarthritis varies significantly across specialist disciplines. Despite differences in treatment strategies, adverse effects were common and not significantly associated with corticosteroid dose or adjunct use. Clinical Relevance Further controlled prospective studies should focus on optimizing treatment protocols to improve outcomes and minimize complications in this challenging disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Semantic Scholar: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/41289689