In the dog breed Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (NSDTR)
several dogs suffer from joint pain and possibly pain from the
muscles. This diffuse disease is called Immune-mediated Non-
Erosive Arthritis in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
The disease is most likely of autoimmune nature where the etiology
still is unknown. The musculoskeletal symptoms of stiffness and
shifting lameness are intermittently seen. Some dogs also have
dermatological changes and some dogs suffer from pain when
opening their mouth.
The study included 20 diseased and 20 healthy NSDTR. The purpose
was to describe immune-mediated arthritis in NSDTR based on
symptoms, results of analysis and effect of treatment.
Among the diseased dogs 65% had serum positive for antinuclear
antibodies by indirect immunofluorescense (IIF) ANA-test. All the
healthy dogs were ANA-negative. The fluorescence-pattern of the
ANA-test in the NSDTRs were variable and no connection between
symptoms, results of ANA-analysis and effect of treatment were
found. The high number of ANA-positive dogs suffering from the
disease and the high incidence of musculoskeletal symptoms may
confirm that immune mediated arthritis in NSDTR possibly could be
an SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)-related disease.
Hematology, biochemistry and urine analysis were generally normal
in both the diseased and the healthy dogs.
Radiological examination, analysis of synovia and post-mortem
examination indicates that immune-mediated non-erosive arthritis in
NSDTR is an immune-mediated non-erosive arthritis.
The dogs have been treated with NSAID and/or prednisolone.
Generally the effect of NSAID was insufficient in relieving the dogs
symptoms. Cortisone gave a much better initial effect though it was
difficult to evaluate the effects of cortisone in the long term.
In the future it would be interesting to examine joints and synovia
from a g...
