Ultrasonographic diagnosis of septic arthritis secondary to porcupine quill migration in a dog

Abstract

A 7-year-old castrated male German Shepherd Dog was evaluated for lethargy, icterus, and sepsis. Porcupine quills had been removed from the dog's face 1 month prior to examination; progressive right forelimb lameness had developed soon after removal of the quills. Septic arthritis of the right elbow joint was diagnosed and was unresponsive to antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory treatments. At the time of referral, the dog had developed endocarditis, septicemia, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Via ultrasonography, a foreign body consistent with a porcupine quill was detected in the medial portion of the right humeroradial joint. The dog did not respond to initial supportive treatment and died as a result of cardiac arrest. Postmortem examination confirmed the presence of a quill in the medial compartment of the right elbow joint and severe acute endocarditis with septic emboli to the kidneys and spleen. Ultrasonographic examination should be considered as a diagnostic tool when septic arthritis secondary to a foreign body is suspected in dogs.

Bacterial infective arthritis following a penetrating stick injury of the stifle joint in a dog

“…In this patient failure to obtain an early diagnosis of FB penetration resulted in persistent BIA and a poor outcome similar to that reported by Brisson and others (). Difficulty in achieving an early diagnosis is not uncommon with FB injuries in animals, with owners either not observing the traumatic injury or failing to mention that a traumatic injury may have occurred at some point prior to the onset of clinical signs (Farr and ‐others 2010).…”

“…Bacterial infective arthritis (BIA) is an uncommon inflammatory arthropathy developing as a result of haematogenous spread, direct joint penetration or less commonly direct extension from the periarticular soft tissues (Bennett and Taylor ). BIA due to foreign body (FB) penetration is rare in small animals being reported in only three cases (Bennett and Taylor , Pratt and others , Brisson and others ). Only one case involved a wooden FB (Pratt and others ) which caused BIA of the atlanto‐occipital joint.…”

Processionary Caterpillar Setae and Equine Fetal Loss

“…Grass awns, porcupine quills, toothpicks, and sewing needles, all of similar shape to setae, have been found in aberrant locations including the brain, joints, bladder, and uterus of animals, generally far distant from the point of entry. 3,5,14,24,26 Relative setal numbers (Table 2) within the tissues were highest in the stomach and large colon where tissues were available with low numbers or none in the small intestine and other organs. Gastrointestinal transit time and dosage of whole caterpillar may play a role in setal fragment density within the tissues.…”

Approach to the Septic Joint

“…Previous diagnostic arthrocentesis, therapeutic intra-articular injections, or a penetrating articular injury can also introduce bacteria and therefore cause articular infection [8][9][10][11]. Furthermore, articular invasion from an adjacent, localized soft-tissue infection or osteomyelitis is possible so any evidence of periarticular infection should create concern for intra-articular involvement [12,13].…”