Approach to Septic Arthritis in Dogs

‘Septic’ or ‘bacterial infective’ arthritis is an uncommon, but serious and potentially debilitating disease requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment because it can
cause substantial damage to articular hyaline cartilage(1). Clinical sign are usually associated with severe lameness and joint pain, often acute in onset. General clinical signs like fever or apathy can vary. Occurrence in dogs is via haematogenous spread or as a complication of joint surgery or joint trauma(2, 3). Primary bacterial sources may be associated with abscesses, bite wounds, enteritis, dermatitis, cystitis and/or endometritis after birth. Bacteria commonly involved include Staphylococcus intermedius or aureus, Streptococcus spp, Enterococcus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pasteurella spp, and Klebsiella spp.

Diagnosis is based on clinical, physical, diagnostic imaging and synovial fluid examination. Aseptic aspiration of joint fluid is required, but cultures are not always rewarding(4). The presence of toxic, degranulated, or ruptured neutrophils in the cytological examination is strongly suggestive an infectious etiology. […]