Canine knee problem

[JKL]

I have a 13 month old female with lameness in her right rear leg. The vet drew about what he determined to be 4 times the normal amount of fluid from the stifle joint. Xrays were taken and fluid sent out for testing. I am wondering if any of you have had similar issues and what was the final diagnosis.
Any comments are appreciated.

[jeff t.]

Hard to say without seeing the lameness.

Was it sudden onset, or has this been developing over a period of time?

Althought the amount of fluid seems unusual, when I read "knee" I think "cruciate" ....has your vet ruled out a cruciate injury?

If it was my dog, I'd want the opinion of an orthopedic specialist as soon as possible.

Good luck,

Jeff

[YardleyLabs]

If there was no known source of injury, lameness and fluid can also be indicative of an autoimmune reaction (could be related to ticks or of other unknown origin). This will more typically show in multiple joints over time. In the case of a suspected autoimmune reaction, normal treatment would be doxycycline plus prednisone while waiting for test results. The doxy will help treat any possible infection source for the reaction while the prednisone will help reduce the inflammation and lameness. I had this situation once where the lameness got worse from day to day and went from affecting one joint to affecting all major joints over a period of about two weeks. Unfortunately, my girl was in the minority of dogs for whom prednisone was insufficient to interrupt the reaction and the final outcome was not good.

[EdA]

synovial fluid is normally highly viscous, almost the consistency of honey, with inflammation of the joint (synovitis) the synovial fluid is watery and increased in volume, the most common cause of decreased synovial fluid viscosity and increased synovial fluid volume is CCL injury

[Travis R. Bullock]

If it was my dog, I'd want the opinion of an orthopedic specialist as soon as possible.

+1 That would be my suggestion.

[JKL]

synovial fluid is normally highly viscous, almost the consistency of honey, with inflammation of the joint (synovitis) the synovial fluid is watery and increased in volume, the most common cause of decreased synovial fluid viscosity and increased synovial fluid volume is CCL injury

Thanks Ed and everyone else as well.
Ed, your description is on target as to what he saw. Watery and increased fluid, I should have reports today.
I appreciate your thoughts, thank you.

[jeff t.]

Kim,

Did your vet do the "clinical drawer sign" test on the joint?

Jeff

[JKL]

Kim,

Did your vet do the "clinical drawer sign" test on the joint?

Jeff

Yes. While she was concious there was no drawer movement however while under anethesia he could feel a slight more laxticity in that knee over the other and there is some popping in the knee. He saw some djd in the xray and has sent off for radiologist report. I am afraid it probably is CCL but wishing for something less serious.
Without getting ahead of myself. Do I have surgery with a partial tear ? I will certainly ask the vet but i am thinking out loud as well.

[jeff t.]

Do I have surgery with a partial tear ? I will certainly ask the vet but i am thinking out loud as well.

That is a tough question. When I hear "partial tear", I think... not completely torn ..yet

My sense is that doing the surgery sooner rather than later will minimize the extent of djd in later years and ultimately improve the quality of life for the dog.

[JKL]

That is a tough question. When I hear "partial tear" not completely torn ..yet

My sense is that doing the surgery sooner rather than later will minimize the extent of djd in later years and ultimately improve the quality of life for the dog.

My thought as well. I have had one other dog a long time ago with a torn cruciate but it was complete tear, easy diagnosis and easy decisions.
I think this one has been tore a bit for a while. I thought I saw something a few months ago but after xrays were good I just let it go. This time lameness is obvious.