• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.434-436
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• 2017

Nine dogs with history of lameness and anorexia were presented. On physical examination, all dogs had gait abnormality and six dogs had high body temperature. Their clinical signs were mostly episodic, and only non-specific symptoms were occasionally observed. Arthrocentesis was performed in all dogs, and immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) was diagnosed. Definitive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) were diagnosed in one dogs, one each. Prednisolone (PDS) was chosen as the first-line therapy for all dogs, except for the one with RA. Most cases responded to PDS but some cases including those of SLE and RA were refractory to PDS. IMPA can be challenging to diagnose due to its vague symptom and is commonly implicated in 'fever of unknown origin'. Therefore, clinicians should consider IMPA as a differential diagnosis when the patient has fever with systemic, non-specific signs, such as anorexia and depression, but does not respond to antibiotics.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.366-369
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• 2015

A 12-year-old, castrated male, mixed-breed dog was referred to us with a history of depression, lameness, neck and multiple joints pain. Clinical signs had been deteriorating from rear limbs lameness leading to pain on all four limbs lameness for 7 days. Mild leukocytosis and increased C-reactive protein concentration were revealed in blood work. On radiography, degenerative change of humerus and cervical intervertebral space narrowing were found. The results of synovial fluid analysis revealed severe neutrophilic pleocytosis, decreased viscosity, increased turbidity and bacterial culture was negative. The antinuclear antibody test was negative and MRI results revealed mild cervical intervertebral disk disease (IVDD). Based on all tests, we diagnosed this case as idiopathic immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA). Prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil were administered and clinical signs were resolved after 7 days. This case report demonstrated that clinical, diagnostic imaging and synovial fluid analysis findings and successful treatment result with prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil in canine idiopathic IMPA.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.276-282
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• 2023

Immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) is an inflammatory, noninfectious disease that affects two or more joints in dogs. Immunosuppressive doses of prednisolone are considered the initial treatment choice for dogs with IMPA. However, few reports have described the combination of mycophenolate mofetil and prednisolone for treating dogs with IMPA. In this report, we described the cases of three dogs treated with a combination of mycophenolate mofetil and prednisolone. The clinical signs were alleviated in all cases, and C-reactive protein levels were reduced after treatment. Our results show that combination therapy of mycophenolate mofetil and prednisolone is effective in managing IMPA. However, careful monitoring of the potential adverse effects, including sporadic infections and metabolic diseases, is necessary. In addition, screening tests and appropriate treatments are necessary for proteinuria, a common complication in dogs with IMPA.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.395-398
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• 2006

A 2-month-old female Shih-tzu dog was referred because of lameness, exercise intolerance, depression, elbow and stifle joint swelling. Physical examination, complete blood counts, serum-chemistry, radiography, synovial fluid analysis, antinuclear antibody test, and rheumatoid factor measurement were initiated. On radiography, soft tissue swelling of elbow and stifle joints without erosiveness were founded. The results of synovial fluid analysis revealed severe neutrophilic pleocytosis (nondegenerative), decreased viscosity, increased turbidity, positive on mucin-clot test, and negative on bacterial culture. The results of rheumatoid factor measurement and antinuclear antibody test were negative and below 1 : 40, respectively. Based on all tests, we diagnosed this case as juvenile onset type I immune-mediated polyarthritis. Azathioprine (1 mg/kg body weight, per os q 24 h, for 4 weeks) was then administered and clinical signs improved gradually. Four weeks after azathioprine administration, clinical signs were disappeared. This report describes the clinical findings, imaging characteristics, synovial fluid findings, and other laboratory results of type I immune-mediated polyarthritis and successful management with azathioprine therapy.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.103-103
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• 2006