Download PDF
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2003; 16(01): 06-10
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632747
Clinical Communication
Schattauer GmbH

Polyarthritis following vaccination in four dogs

B. Kohn
1   Clinic for Small Animals, Free University of Berlin
,
M. Garner
1   Clinic for Small Animals, Free University of Berlin
,
S. Lübke
1   Clinic for Small Animals, Free University of Berlin
,
M. F. G. Schmidt
2   Institute of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
,
D. Bennett
3   Department for Small Animal Clinical Studies, University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Glasgow, UK
,
L. Brunnberg
1   Clinic for Small Animals, Free University of Berlin
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 07 January 2002

Accepted 20 September 2002

Publication Date:
08 February 2018 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints

Summary

The purpose of this study was to describe four dogs that developed polyarthritis (PA) shortly after vaccination.

Between 1996–1999, 27 dogs were admitted to the Clinic for Small Animals, University of Berlin with clinical signs of PA. Based on the history, clinical findings, results of routine laboratory tests, radiography and ultrasonography, synovial fluid analysis, serum titers for rheumatoid factors, infectious disease and immunological serum titers nine dogs were diagnosed with idiopathic PA type I and 14 dogs with other forms of polyarthritis. Vaccine-associated PA (VAPA) was suspected in four dogs of different breeds (1.3–2.4 years old) which showed a sudden onset of lameness with several painful and swollen joints three – 15 days (mean 11) after vaccination. Synovial fluid analysis revealed nucleated cell counts ranging from 4,000-72,000/μl (mean 30,000) with 30–90% (mean 80) neutrophils. Treatment consisted of NSAIDs and doxycycline. The VAPA dogs quickly recovered in one to two days, three had not experienced a recurrent arthritic episode, one dog developed arthritic signs 12 days after revaccination. An accurate vaccination history is important on all dogs presenting with PA. In accordance with anecdotal reports the signs of disease in VAPA can spontaneously resolve.

Keywords

Polyarthritis - vaccine-associated - outcome
 

  • References

  • 1 Axthelm MK, Krakowa S. Canine distemper virus – induced thrombocytopenia. Am J Vet Res 1987; 48: 1269-75.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Bell SC, Carter SD, Bennett D. Canine distemper viral antigens and antibodies in dogs with rheumatoid arthritis. Res Vet Sci 1991; 50: 64-8.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Bennett D. The Musculoskeletal System. In: Chandler EA, Sutton JB, Thompson DJ. eds. Feline Medicine and Therapeutics. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications; 1985: 78-93.
    Google Scholar
  • 4 Bennett D. Inflammatory arthopathies. The immune based arthritides, in Proceedings. VIFK, Flims 1997; 21-49.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Bennett D, Gaskell RM, Mills A. et al. Detection of feline calicivirus antigens in the joints of infected cats. Vet Rec 1989; 124: 329-32.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Cohen BJ, Buckley MM, Clewley JP. et al. Human parvovirus infection in early rheumatoid and inflammatory arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 1986; 45: 832-8.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Dawson S, McArdale F, Bennett D. et al. Investigation of vaccine reactions and breakdowns after feline calicivirus vaccination. Vet Rec 1993; 132: 346-50.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Dodds WJ. Vaccine-associated disease in young Weimeraners, in Proceedings. Am Holistic Vet Med Assoc Annual Conference 1994; 85-8.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Duval D, Giger U. Vaccine-associated immunemediated hemolytic anemia in the dog. J Vet Int Med 1996; 10: 290-5.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Hendrick MJ. Feline vaccine-associated sarcomas. Cancer Invest 1999; 07: 273-7.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Kelton JG. Vaccination – associated relapse of immune thrombocytopenia. J Am Med Assoc 1981; 245: 369-71.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Konttinnen YT, Bergroth V, Nordstrom D. et al. Cellular immunohistopathology of acute, subacute and chronic synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 1985; 44: 549-55.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Levy SA, Magnarelli LA. Relationship between development of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in dogs and the subsequent development of limb/joint borreliosis. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1992; 200: 344-7.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 May C, Carter SD, Bell SC. et al. Immune responses to canine distemper virus in joint diseases of dogs. Br J Rheumatol 1994; 33: 27-31.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 McAnulty JF, Rudd RG. Thrombocytopenia associated with vaccination of a dog with a modified – live paramyxovirus vaccine. J Amer Vet Med Assoc 1985; 186: 1217-9.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Neiderud J. Thrombocytopenic purpura after a combined vaccine against morbilli, parotitis and rubella. Acta Paediatr Scand 1981; 72: 613-4.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Parry BW. Synovial fluid. In: Cowell RL, Tyler RD. eds. Diagnostic Cytology and Hematology of the Dog and Cat. St Louis: Mosby Inc; 1999: 104-20.
    Google Scholar
  • 18 Pedersen NC, Laliberte L, Ekman S. (1983) A transient febrile “limping”-syndrome of kittens caused by two different strains of feline calicivirus. Fel Pract 1983; 13: 26-35.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Schrauwen EM, Van Ham L. Postvaccinal steroid responsive meningitis in three dogs, in Proceedings. ECVIM Congress, Perugia. 1999: 45-6.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Shirodaria PV, Fraser KB, Armstrong M. Measles virus specific antibodies in sera from multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis patients. Infect Immun 1979; 25: 408-46.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Slater PE, Ben-Zvi T, Fogel A. et al. Absence of an association between rubella vaccination and arthritis in underimmune postpartum women. Vaccine 1995; 13: 1529-32.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Tingle AJ, Allen M, Petty RE. et al. Rubella – associated arthritis. 1. Comparative study of joint manifestations associated with natural rubella infection and RA27/3 rubella immunisation. Ann Rheum Dis 1986; 45: 110-4.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Wiebel RE, Benor DE. Chronic arthropathy and musculoskeletal symptoms associated with rubella vaccines. A review of 124 claims submitted to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Arthritis Rheum 1996; 39: 1529-43.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Wynn SG, Dodds WJ. Vaccine-associated disease in a family of young Akita dogs. In Proceedings. Am Holistic Vet Med Assoc Annual Conference 1994; 81-4.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar