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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2018; 31(06): 488-493
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1668108
Clinical Communication
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Spontaneous Septic Arthritis of Canine Elbows: Twenty-One Cases

Ben Mielke
1   Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, United Kingdom
,
Eithne Comerford
2   Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, Liverpool, United Kingdom
3   Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Institute of Veterinary Science, Neston, United Kingdom
,
Kate English
4   Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, United Kingdom
,
Richard Meeson
1   Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, United Kingdom
› Author Affiliations Funding No funding was provided for this manuscript.
Further Information

Publication History

28 November 2017

09 June 2018

Publication Date:
09 October 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Objective This study provides information on clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and associated risk factors of spontaneous septic elbow arthritis in the dog.

Methods Medical records between March 2007 and June 2015 were searched for cases of spontaneous septic elbow arthritis with a diagnosis based on clinical signs, arthrocentesis, cytological and microbiological analysis of elbow joint synovial fluid, radiography and outcome following treatment.

Results Twenty-one cases of septic arthritis were identified. Pre-existing osteoarthritis was present in 14/15 elbows for which diagnostic imaging was available. Although all cases had increased neutrophil count on synovial fluid cytology, culture was only positive in 12/21. Despite initial improvement in lameness scores (pre-treatment 9/10 [range: 1–10] versus post-treatment 3/10 [range: 1–5]), 11/12 had residual long-term lameness. Recurrence of infection was noted in 3/12 elbows for which long-term (>8 weeks) follow-up was available. There was an acute mortality rate of 2/21 associated with severe systemic sepsis.

Clinical Significance Septic arthritis, even in the absence of pyrexia, should be considered as a major differential diagnosis in middle aged, large breed dogs, with pre-existing elbow arthritis, that suffer an acute onset lameness, with elbow joint effusion and discomfort. Antibiotic therapy alone was effective for treatment with high initial response rates. Chronic lameness post-treatment was common, and a high rate of recurrence was seen with 3/12 dogs suffering more than one episode.

Keywords

septic arthritis - elbow - osteoarthritis - elbow dysplasia - infections

Author Contributions

Ben Mielke and Richard Meeson contributed to conception of study, study design, and acquisition of data and data analysis and interpretation. All authors drafted, revised and approved the submitted manuscript.


Supplementary Material

 

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