Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog in Northern California with joint infection and blood infection
By Li, Tianjiao et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2025·Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, United States·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 We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above.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: Mycobacterium fortuitum Infection Associated With Septic Arthritis and Mycobacteremia in a Dog From Northern California.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A Briard dog from northern California was brought in for limping due to a painful right leg. The dog had a history of immune issues and had undergone splenectomy, which may have made it more susceptible to infections. Tests revealed a rare infection caused by Mycobacterium fortuitum, which was found in both the joint fluid and blood. The dog was treated successfully with antibiotics clarithromycin and enrofloxacin. Unfortunately, the dog later developed a mast cell tumor and ultimately passed away two years later due to a different cancer affecting the spine.
People also search for: dog limping treatment · Briard dog infection · Mycobacterium fortuitum in dogs · antibiotics for dog arthritis · dog cancer treatment options
Abstract
Mycobacterium fortuitum mycobacteremia and arthritis were diagnosed in a Briard dog from northern California. The dog was evaluated for lameness and had a history of immunosuppressive treatment and splenectomy for refractory immune thrombocytopenia. Cytological examination of synovial fluid from the right tarsus indicated marked suppurative inflammation with intralesional acid-fast bacteria. Mycobacterium fortuitum was cultured from joint fluid and blood; identification was based on PCR sequencing. Diagnosis was complicated by initial misidentification of the organism as an Actinomyces species. The dog was successfully treated with clarithromycin and enrofloxacin. The dog was later treated for a Grade III mast cell tumor of the thoracic limb with radiation therapy and chemotherapy and then died 2 years after the diagnosis of mycobacteremia because of extradural hemangiosarcoma of the spine.
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/40298580/