A retrospective study of 40 dogs with polyarthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings from dogs with polyarthritis (PA).


METHODS
Retrospective clinical study.


METHODS
Forty dogs.


METHODS
Medical records of 40 dogs with a diagnosis of PA were reviewed. Retrieved data included breed, age at admission, sex, weight, clinical signs, and the results of synovial fluid analysis, complete blood count, serum chemistry profile, urinalysis, serologic screening tests for infectious diseases, and radiographic examination of affected joints.


RESULTS
The incidence of PA was 0.37%. Twenty-nine breeds were represented; 16 dogs were male, and 24 were female. Mean body weight was 20.1 +/- 15 kg. The mean age at admission was 5.6 +/- 4 years. Eighty percent of dogs with PA had difficulty or reluctance walking, 35% were lame, 33% had spontaneous vocalization without any obvious reason, 20% had exercise intolerance, 18% were febrile, and 7.5% had an inability to rise or move. Joint pain was identified in 40% of dogs. Synovial fluid color varied from colorless (36%) to yellow-tinged (36%) or hemorrhagic (28%). Synovial fluid mean cell count varied from 10 cells (400x) to 50 cells (1,000x). Leukocytosis occurred in 59% of the dogs and was more frequently identified in dogs with very severe synovial inflammation. Thirty-one percent of affected dogs were anemic. Serum biochemical profiles were considered abnormal in 13% of the dogs. Joint radiography did not identify erosive arthritis.


CONCLUSIONS
PA is a common cause of locomotor abnormalities in dogs; however, true lameness and articular pain are not common clinical findings in dogs with PA.


CONCLUSIONS
PA should be considered in the differential diagnosis for all dogs with difficulty walking.
Jacques
David
D
Clinique Vétérinaire Frégis, Arcueil, France.
Cauzinille
Laurent
L
Bouvy
Bernard
B
Dupre
Gilles
G
D000818:Animals; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001835:Body Weight; D001947:Breeding; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000209:etiology; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013582:Synovial Fluid