Epidemiologic Insights on Polyarthritis in Dogs in Primary Care Populations

Background

Polyarthritis (PA) is an inflammatory joint disease, sometimes with vague clinical signs.

Hypothesis/Objective

Examine the occurrence of PA in dogs with increased plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations, gait-related clinical signs, or both, and characterize the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory findings in dogs with PA.

Animals

Eighty-one dogs with increased plasma CRP concentrations, gait-related clinical signs, or both.

Methods

Single institution, prospective study. The occurrence of PA was examined in dogs with increased plasma CRP concentrations, showing gait-related clinical signs, or both. Information such as breed, age at diagnosis, sex, body weight, clinical signs, laboratory results, clinical diagnosis, treatment, and therapeutic response was determined for dogs with and without PA.

Results

Of 81 dogs, 20 (25%) were diagnosed with PA, representing 11 breeds. Sex distribution was 10 males and 10 females, with a median body weight of 5.4 kg and a median age of 13.8 years at diagnosis. Half of the cases exhibited gait-related clinical signs. Thirteen dogs had reactive PA, seven had primary immune-mediated PA, and none had infectious causes. The PA group had higher serum total calcium concentrations than the non-PA group, and the recovery rate for PA was 90%.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Polyarthritis should be included in the differential diagnosis for all dogs with increased CRP concentrations, even those without gait-related clinical signs. Synovial fluid testing is indicated for dogs with high CRP concentrations, even after treatment for underlying diseases, particularly if they are only displaying vague clinical signs.