Tollarsjuka hos hund : en retrospektiv studie med journalsammanställning av 18 hundar

Abstract: "Tollarsjuka" is a disease with a suspected immunopathological background seen in Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers. Pyrexia, lameness, stiffness and joint- or musclepain are typical clinical signs. The purpose of this study is to describe case histories from dogs with a possible evidence of "tollarsjuka". 18 private dogs were included in this report. Generalised stiffness, lameness and fatigue were the most frequent manifestations of the disease. Radiographical examination of painful joints and joint fluid analysis from two dogs indicated an immune-mediated, non-erosive arthritis in evaluated dogs. Hematological and serological examination of the blood revealed no changes of importance for the development of "tollarsjuka". Serum protein electrophoresis was performed in 12 dogs and documented a mild decrease in the concentration of albumin. This may be due to an early glomerulonephritis often seen in dogs manifesting a systemic, autoimmune disease. Antibodies specific for Borrelia burgdorferi and Ehrlichia equi (Anaplasma phagocytophilum) were detected in the blood from three evaluated dogs. It is uncertain whether borrelia/ehrlichia is actually causing an immunemediated arthritis in these cases. Corticosteroid and/or NSAID-treatment performed in 15 dogs resulted in a clinical improvement, but not always in complete recovery. This study reveals no certain correlation between evaluated findings and "tollarsjuka". However, further investigations are needed in order to characterize the disease.