Septic arthritis is a type of inflammation of the joint that is commonly seen after a traumatic injury that has exposed the joint to contamination by environmental microorganism, after surgery, or when microorganisms enter the joints through the blood stream. Infection of other body systems can be a source of these microorganisms ending up inside the joint fluid. Although infection of a single joint is common, more than one joint may be found to be affected in some dogs.
This disease is commonly seen in male dogs between the ages of four and seven years. Predisposed breeds include German shepherds, Dobermans, and Labrador retrievers.
Common symptoms include pain, fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, joint swelling, lameness of the affected limb, affected joint is hot to the touch and inability to move the affected joint normally.
Dogs with weakened or abnormal immune system or diabetes in dogs are at higher risk of developing various infections, including septic arthritis. Other underlying factors and/or causes including opportunistic infections after injury, bite wound (e.g., fight with another animal), gunshot wound, or surgery, bacterial infections that have traveled from another location in the body and fungal infections.
Dogs with this disease are usually presented to veterinarians with symptoms of lameness. Your veterinarian will take a detailed history, including any incidents of previous injury, animal fights, or other illnesses. A detailed physical examination will help your veterinarian to establish if single or multiple joints are affected. Other dog diseases that can cause lameness will also be considered.
After taking the blood and joint fluid samples and confirming a diagnosis of bacterial infection, antibiotics will be given to counter the infection. Which antibiotic will work best for your dog will depend on the results of the culture and sensitivity testing, both of which will tell your veterinarian about the microorganism involved in the joint infection.
Arthroscopy -- a type of endoscope that is inserted into the joint through a small incision -- is another technique that can be used to allow for a close examination of the interior of the joint, and can also sometimes be used in the treatment of the interior of the joint. Compared to surgery, arthroscopy is a less invasive technique.
Prevention includes adding probiotics to their diet. Probiotics for dogs reduces bad bacteria and strengthens immune system to help in removal of toxins. With everyday use of this premium supplement it will return pet back to its proper homeostasis. The product OmNutra Pet Probiotics contains 3 billion CFU per scoop that helps reduce and eliminate a variety of pet health issues such as arthritis.
According to ASPCA, the act of dogs consuming their own or other animals’ feces is known as
coprophagia. Although it’s not known exactly why it occurs, coprophagia
is a normal behavior in many species, including dogs. Ingesting one’s
own or other dogs’ feces is particularly prevalent in puppies.
Fortunately, many grow out of this behavior as they mature. Coprophagia
is also normal in nursing mothers. Because pups are not able to
eliminate on their own until they’re about three weeks old, a mother dog
will lick her very young puppies to activate the defecation reflex.
Ingestion of the puppies’ feces also keeps the nest clean. Feces left in
the nest would cause poor hygiene and attract predators to an outside
nest.
Early intervention can help reduce the possibility that the behavior
will become a long-term habit. The owner that uses the outmoded,
inhumane and useless training technique of "sticking the dog's nose" in
its stool when it has soiled the home, may be further encouraging
coprophagia.
Any medical problem that leads to a decrease in absorption of nutrients,
causes gastrointestinal upset or causes an increase in the appeal of
the dog's stool, could lead to coprophagia. In addition to a complete
physical examination, the puppy's diet and its stool frequency and
consistency should be evaluated. Stool testing for parasites would be
the minimum level of testing. If the stool is unusually soft or appears
to be poorly digested, additional stool or blood tests may be warranted.
Feeding a poorly digestible diet, underfeeding, and dog diseases
that decrease absorption such as digestive enzyme deficiencies or
parasites, could lead to malnutrition or vitamin and mineral
deficiencies, and therefore an increased appetite and possibly stool
eating. In addition, if the stools contain large amounts of undigested
food material, there is an increased likelihood that the puppy would eat
the stools.
When adult dogs begin to eat stools, it may also be due to malabsorption
of nutrients or to dietary nutritional deficiencies. In addition, any
condition that might cause an increase in appetite or an unusual
appetite, such as diabetes in dogs, Cushing's disease, thyroid disease, or
treatment with certain drugs such as steroids may lead to an increase in
stool eating.
Coprophagia can best be corrected by preventing access to stools, by
thorough cleaning of the pet's property, and by constant supervision
when the pet is outdoors.
Dogs with medical problems should be treated to try and correct the
underlying cause. A change in diet to one that is more digestible, or
one with different protein sources may be useful. Dogs on restricted
calorie diets may do better on a high bulk or high fiber formula. Some
dogs may be improved by adding probiotics for dogs to improve nutrient
digestion or absorption. Specifically, these probiotics may help increase protein digestion,
resulting in a less palatable stool. Otc probiotics such as OmNutra Pet Probiotics help reduce and eliminate various pet health issues, including coprophagia.
Since most dogs seem to prefer a well-formed stool, adding sufficient
quantities of stool softeners or bulk laxatives will usually deter most
dogs.
