Nicky initial diagnosis - Update 4/9/15
Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2015 8:35 pmPreliminary diagnosis (from x-rays) of Nicky's problem is degenerative joint disease in his knees (back legs) but more tests will be done to check for septic arthritis caused by ticks - could be both. CBCs looked good overall but the more extensive blood work will have to be sent off and she did not want to do that on a Friday; it will be done next week to be sure lab has fresh blood sample from which to work. May also need an MRI but will hold off on that to see if meds help and wait for lab results. One knee is much worse than the other and more likely to require surgery at some point.
In the meantime we have a 30 day treatment plan which includes anti-inflamatory, joint supplement and mild pain meds. She also suggested that while his weight is near ideal, getting about two pounds off might also help. Will try to do that by slightly reducing the amount of food he gets daily. Nicky gets to rest and just move more or less at will over weekend. We will review potential exercise plans next week.
Some info on condition:
Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease)
The joint cartilage in freely moving joints may degenerate over time, leading to loss of joint movement and, in many cases, pain. This condition is characterized by thinning of cartilage, buildup of fluid within the joint, and the formation of bony outgrowths around the joint. Joint degeneration can be caused by trauma, infection, the body's own immune system, or malformation during development. This leads to inflammation of the joint membrane, continued cartilage destruction and inflammation, and abnormal joint function.
Signs of osteoarthritis include lameness, joint swelling, wasting away of muscle, and thickening and scarring of the joint membrane. Eventually enough damage can occur that a grating sound might be heard during joint movement. X-rays show increased fluid within the joint, soft-tissue swelling around the joint, the formation of bony outgrowths, hardening and thickening of bone beneath the cartilage, and sometimes a narrowed joint space.
Treatments can be either medical or surgical. Medical treatment may include the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain and inflammation. However, longterm use of these drugs in dogs can sometimes cause gastrointestinal problems such as lack of appetite, vomiting, and inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Corticosteroids also suppress inflammation, but they are usually given only for a short period in order to avoid adverse effects of continued use. Your veterinarian will prescribe appropriate medication based on your dog's signs, age, and overall health.
Surgical options include joint fusion, joint replacement, cutting of the joint, and amputation. The outlook for recovery depends on the location and severity of the joint disease.
Other treatments that might be considered include weight reduction, carefully monitored exercise on soft surfaces, and application of warm compresses to affected joints. Joint-fluid modifiers may help prevent further cartilage degradation.
Septic Arthritis
Infectious, or septic, arthritis is usually caused by bacteria that spread through the blood or enter the body as a result of trauma (with penetrating wounds) or surgery. Other causes of septic arthritis include rickettsia (Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis) and spirochetes (Lyme disease). seeInfections: Introduction to Infections
Signs of septic arthritis include lameness, swelling, pain of affected joint(s), fever, listlessness, loss of appetite, and stiffness. X-rays may reveal increased fluid within the joint in early cases and degenerative joint disease in longterm conditions. Laboratory tests on fluid removed from the joint may be useful in confirming the diagnosis.
Treatment consists of antibiotics administered orally or intravenously, flushing of the joint cavity, and surgical removal of dead, damaged or infected tissue in severe cases.
In the meantime we have a 30 day treatment plan which includes anti-inflamatory, joint supplement and mild pain meds. She also suggested that while his weight is near ideal, getting about two pounds off might also help. Will try to do that by slightly reducing the amount of food he gets daily. Nicky gets to rest and just move more or less at will over weekend. We will review potential exercise plans next week.
Some info on condition:
Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease)
The joint cartilage in freely moving joints may degenerate over time, leading to loss of joint movement and, in many cases, pain. This condition is characterized by thinning of cartilage, buildup of fluid within the joint, and the formation of bony outgrowths around the joint. Joint degeneration can be caused by trauma, infection, the body's own immune system, or malformation during development. This leads to inflammation of the joint membrane, continued cartilage destruction and inflammation, and abnormal joint function.
Signs of osteoarthritis include lameness, joint swelling, wasting away of muscle, and thickening and scarring of the joint membrane. Eventually enough damage can occur that a grating sound might be heard during joint movement. X-rays show increased fluid within the joint, soft-tissue swelling around the joint, the formation of bony outgrowths, hardening and thickening of bone beneath the cartilage, and sometimes a narrowed joint space.
Treatments can be either medical or surgical. Medical treatment may include the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain and inflammation. However, longterm use of these drugs in dogs can sometimes cause gastrointestinal problems such as lack of appetite, vomiting, and inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Corticosteroids also suppress inflammation, but they are usually given only for a short period in order to avoid adverse effects of continued use. Your veterinarian will prescribe appropriate medication based on your dog's signs, age, and overall health.
Surgical options include joint fusion, joint replacement, cutting of the joint, and amputation. The outlook for recovery depends on the location and severity of the joint disease.
Other treatments that might be considered include weight reduction, carefully monitored exercise on soft surfaces, and application of warm compresses to affected joints. Joint-fluid modifiers may help prevent further cartilage degradation.
Septic Arthritis
Infectious, or septic, arthritis is usually caused by bacteria that spread through the blood or enter the body as a result of trauma (with penetrating wounds) or surgery. Other causes of septic arthritis include rickettsia (Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis) and spirochetes (Lyme disease). seeInfections: Introduction to Infections
Signs of septic arthritis include lameness, swelling, pain of affected joint(s), fever, listlessness, loss of appetite, and stiffness. X-rays may reveal increased fluid within the joint in early cases and degenerative joint disease in longterm conditions. Laboratory tests on fluid removed from the joint may be useful in confirming the diagnosis.
Treatment consists of antibiotics administered orally or intravenously, flushing of the joint cavity, and surgical removal of dead, damaged or infected tissue in severe cases.
Your vet sounds like she's on top of his condition. There's nothing like a good vet. Keep us posted, ok?