title: Ultrasonographic diagnosis of septic arthritis secondary to porcupine quill migration in a dog.
abstract: A 7-year-old castrated male German Shepherd Dog was evaluated for lethargy, icterus, and sepsis. Porcupine quills had been removed from the dog's face 1 month prior to examination; progressive right forelimb lameness had developed soon after removal of the quills. Septic arthritis of the right elbow joint was diagnosed and was unresponsive to antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory treatments. At the time of referral, the dog had developed endocarditis, septicemia, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Via ultrasonography, a foreign body consistent with a porcupine quill was detected in the medial portion of the right humeroradial joint. The dog did not respond to initial supportive treatment and died as a result of cardiac arrest. Postmortem examination confirmed the presence of a quill in the medial compartment of the right elbow joint and severe acute endocarditis with septic emboli to the kidneys and spleen. Ultrasonographic examination should be considered as a diagnostic tool when septic arthritis secondary to a foreign body is suspected in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1.
authors.forename: Brigitte A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Brisson
authors.forename: Alexa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bersenas
authors.forename: Sheila M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Etue
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003646:Debridement / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D004285:Dogs; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D005552:Forelimb; D008297:Male; D012377:Rodentia; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary