Bacterial infective arthritis in the dog

Abstract

Bacterial infections of joints produce an inflammatory arthropathy. Most cases appear to be due to the haematogenous localisation of bacteria in a joint and trauma may predispose a joint to infection. Two clinical syndromes are identified; the classic acute onset case and a more chronic local grade infection syndrome. Affected joints are usually thickened and show pain on manipulation. The synovial fluid has increased numbers of white cells, most of which are polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Peripheral blood analysis may be normal and only a few dogs show systemic illness. Radiography in the early stage, will only show soft tissue changes; periosteal new bone and bony destruction are seen in longer standing cases. The carpus was the most frequently affected joint and the larger breeds, particularly the males, were over‐represented. Various organisms were isolated but haemolytic Streptococcus and Staphylococcus intermedius were the most common. Culture of the synovial membrane was more sensitive than the synovial fluid. Antibiotic therapy for several weeks was generally successful providing an early diagnosis was made. In a few cases, steroid responsive synovial inflammation persisted in the absence of viable bacterial organisms.

Septic Arthritis in Dogs: A Retrospective Study of 20 Cases (2000-2002)

“…Hematogenous infection is probably less common than those caused by penetrating injuries (Owens and Ackerman 1978) or surgical procedures (Marchevsky and Read 1999). However, some authors reported that the blood borne septic arthritis is more common than the infections caused by penetrating wounds especially in large breeds such as Great Dane, St. Bernard and German Shepherd Dog (Pederson and Pool 1978;Bennett and Taylor 1988;Bennett and Taylor 1987). In our study, all dogs with septic arthritis were medium to large breed dogs and 70% of them were suspected that the septic arthritis was caused by the hematogenous route whereas only 30% of them where caused by infection after the joint operation or after direct trauma.…”

“…(Abuekteish et al 1996;Egan et al 1999;Hultgren et al 1998). The infecting organism reaches the joint tissue (by hematogenous spread) as a result of a primary septicemia from a bacterial endocarditis, pneumonia, or abscess in another part of the body (Bennett and Taylor 1988;Egan et al 1999). Furthermore, septic arthritis may develop after arthrocenthesis or injection especially in the patient with rheumatoid arthritis or with preexisting joint diseases (Hultgren et al 1998;Laho and Kotilaien 2001;Liu et al 2001;Mclnnes et al 1998).…”

Early detection of septic arthritis caused by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis in a dog – a case report

“…In some cases, the authors reported that bacterial growth was not detected; it may be due to an application of antibiotics prior to taking the sample (Quinn et al 1999). Bennett and Taylor (1988) detected bacterial growth and septic arthritis in 81% from the joint fluid, and 100% from the joint capsule. Montgomery et al (1989) pointed out that the results of the joint fluid cultures were more sensitive than those of the joint capsule.…”

“…Septic arthritis which may cause pain, swelling, and lameness, is usually a monoarthropathy in dogs. Several different bacteria species, especially Staphylococcus intermedius, S. aureus and β-haemolytic streptococci have been isolated from septic arthritis in dogs (Bennett and Taylor 1988;Clements et al 2005). Lancefield group-C streptococci are a common cause of infection in animals but rarely detected in humans (Bradley et al 1991).…”

Acupuncture for General Veterinary Practice

“…Joint diseases are other causes of canine paralysis and lameness [1]. Hip dysplasia (HD) is a most common genetic disorder, often found in breeds such as German shepherd.…”