Introduction/Causative Agents:
Arthritis is inflammation of a joint, and it can be caused by injury (trauma) or infection. Polyarthritis is arthritis involving more than one joint. Bacteria are usually the cause of infectious arthritis and the most common bacterial causes are Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (the bacteria that cause caseous lymphadenitis), Escherichia coli, Streptococcus spp. Staphylococcus spp., and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. These bacterial organisms can enter the body through the umbilicus or through docking/castrating wounds. If the infection enters the body through the umbilical area, the disease is often called navel ill or joint ill. After the bacteria enter the body, they spread to the joints through the blood stream and often cause the animal to have a fever. Viral infections such as caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) can also cause arthritis.Clinical Signs:
With CAE sometimes being the exception, the affected joints are tender to touch, swollen, and hot. The animal is often very lame on the limb(s) that is involved and can lose condition rapidly. If the problem is not corrected, particularly if the infection spreads to other areas of the body, death often results. Permanent lameness and stiffening of the limb may follow recovery. The shoulder, elbow, carpus, hock, and stifle are most frequently involved.Diagnosis:
In infectious and traumatic arthritis, it is important to compare a normal joint with the problem joint. This can be done by palpating (feeling) the normal and then the abnormal joint. Radiographs can also be taken. In some circumstances, these radiographs should be taken of the normal and abnormal joint to help provide a comparison of the two joints. With the proper preparation and technique, a veterinarian can take a sample of the joint fluid from a swollen joint. This can be examined for evidence of infection (culture and sensitivity, cell counts) and inflammation (increased protein, abnormal appearance).Treatment:
For the traumatic causes of arthritis, the extent of the damage must be identified with radiographs. Any damaged cartilage, bone, or other joint structure must be removed or repaired. The animal should be rested and some mild forms of flexion of the joint can be used. Cold water hydrotherapy should begin within 48 hours of the injury. This can involve cold water from a hose, bathed over the affected joint for 15-20 minutes twice a day. After the initial inflammation has gone down, the benefits of the cold water soaks are reduced. Anti-inflammatory agents (phenylbutazone and aspirin) can also be used to help reduce the pain and inflammation. For the infectious causes of arthritis, similar treatments to those stated above should be used. Antibiotics are also necessary, particularly when a culture and sensitivity have been performed and the need for these medications is indicated.Prevention:
Keep castrating and docking equipment clean and sterilized by frequent soaking in disinfectants. All umbilical cords should also be dipped in an appropriate manner (see page C156) immediately after birth.