Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Septic arthritis in dogs causes, joints affected, and treatment
By Phillips, Tessa F & Bleyaert, Helga F·Published in The Veterinary record·2022·Surgery Department, 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 We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above.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: Retrospective evaluation of 103 cases of septic arthritis in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with septic arthritis, a painful joint infection, was studied to understand its causes and treatments. The most affected joints were the knee and elbow, and many of the dogs had pre-existing arthritis, which made them more likely to have recurring issues. Early treatment was crucial for a successful outcome, and dogs that received antibiotics before testing had less reliable results. Overall, most dogs recovered well, but those with higher body weights and existing arthritis were at a greater risk for future problems.
People also search for: dog knee pain infection · elbow arthritis in dogs · septic arthritis treatment for dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study examines inciting causes, diagnosis, treatment and risk factors for the recurrence and outcome of septic arthritis (SA) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Medical records spanning 17 years from five referral hospitals were surveyed for presumptive and confirmed cases of SA. RESULTS: SA was identified in 103 cases. Spontaneous septic SA was the most common inciting cause. The most commonly affected joints were the stifle (40%) and elbow (24%). Pre-existing osteoarthritis (OA) was present in 63% of septic joints and was associated with recurrence (p = 0.03). Treatment with antibiotics prior to presentation was associated with a negative synovial fluid culture (p = 0.014). A successful outcome was associated with early treatment (p = 0.001) and SA due to direct penetration (p = 0.04) or spontaneous cause (p = 0.003). Recurrence was more likely in dogs with unsuccessful outcomes (p = 0.004) and bodyweights >30 kg (p = 0.009). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: SA should be considered as a differential diagnosis in large breed dogs with pre-existing OA presenting with either an acute or chronic monoarthropathy. In the majority of cases, a successful outcome was achieved regardless of treatment type. Recurrence rates were low, but associated with pre-existing OA and higher bodyweight. Although treatment should be implemented as soon as possible to maximise outcome success, synovial fluid samples should ideally be obtained before empiric antibiotic administration.
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/34558080/