6 week old puppy with swollen elbow

Re: 6 week old puppy with swollen elbow

Busybee — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 17:53:06 GMT

[quote user="Elisabeth Knappett"]As an aside, are there any texts out there that have xrays of neonate/immature joints/skeleton images[/quote]

We use 'An Atlas of Interpretive Radiographic Anatomy of the Dog and Cat' but Coulson and Lewis - great examples of all of the above.

Re: 6 week old puppy with swollen elbow

Miriam Lodewyks — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 12:19:58 GMT

Yes, I'd also be suspicious the cat has something to do with it.

Could you aspirate the joint or periarticular area?

Re: 6 week old puppy with swollen elbow

Elisabeth Knappett — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 11:35:23 GMT

Thanks all - was just being a worry wart methinks as puppy sound today, swelling almost completely resolved and bouncing around like a loony! I was suspicious of cat as well so will continue the monitoring and have advised repeat rads anyway - but appreciate the advice and comments. As an aside, are there any texts out there that have xrays of neonate/immature joints/skeleton images - I know the best is compare both sides and would do this as norm, but young animals I find more difficult to interpret.

Re: 6 week old puppy with swollen elbow

Busybee — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 21:55:01 GMT

We had a very similar case in a 12 week old kitten. Indoor cat, only animal in the house, acute onset fairly firm severe swelling of left elbow and non-weight bearing. Owner though he may have caught his claw in the scratching post and wrenched it. Rads - no fractures seen and appeared normal for a 12 week old elbow. Onto pain relief and rest.

Came back 2 days later with swelling worse, kitten still non-weight bearing and swelling now feeling fluid filled - turned out to be a huge abscess. No idea of underlying cause. Treated accordingly. Worryingly, repeat radiographs performed (I think )10 days after the first showed severe pathology in the elbow joint now, presumably due to the infection and the joint has very little normal movement. So I would be looking at repeat radiographs at some point to compare to the first one and also checking for entry points for infection

Re: 6 week old puppy with swollen elbow

Anthony Todd — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 18:54:57 GMT

I suspect the cat; they get very pissed off when their routine is disturbed by ebullient youngsters and puncture wounds are very hard to find sometimes.

Even a penetrating claw will set up an infection.

Re: 6 week old puppy with swollen elbow

Clive Ansell — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 18:09:56 GMT

The only things I can think of at present are; ga for full exam, close look for puncture wounds and palpation, rads, possible aspiration of material for cytology and C&S. alternatively assess response to therapy in 24 hrs inb.

Re: 6 week old puppy with swollen elbow

Elisabeth Knappett — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 16:33:35 GMT

Thanks all - temperature normal, mm pink and moist, crt <2s, all other joints normal. Comparison views were taken but not ideal as not GA'd yet. Can't GA at the moment as no current contact with owners - typical, and full stomach.....have tried to upload but computer says no, am persevering. Will submit to local ref centre for advice when possible. I am looking at the wait and see approach at the moment, just wondering whether there was anything more anyone else would have done/be doing?

Re: 6 week old puppy with swollen elbow

Dagmar Steele — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 15:51:09 GMT

As far as I understood the op no way to anesthetize at the moment but compared both elbows? I would take a wait and see approach from here. As long as the pup is eating and otherwise ok I'd give the antibiotics and painkillers a chance to do their job. If no improvement in the next two days definitely look again.

Re: 6 week old puppy with swollen elbow

Clive Ansell — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 15:37:25 GMT

Can you anaesthetise for diagnostic quality radiographs of both elbows?

Re: 6 week old puppy with swollen elbow

James Laidlaw — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 15:28:38 GMT

Also, did you radiograph the opposite limb? That's usually the best bet for a "normal" comparison.

Re: 6 week old puppy with swollen elbow

James Laidlaw — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 15:27:47 GMT

Fever? MM colour? Other joints all normal? Be good to see the X-rays before giving opinion...! Maybe you could send them to referral centre or teleradiolgy for specialist opinion?