Abstract
PICO QUESTION: In dogs less than 18 months old with spontaneous/haematogenous bacterial septic arthritis, how effective is treatment with joint lavage and antimicrobial therapy, compared to antimicrobial therapy alone? CATEGORY OF RESEARCH: Treatment. NUMBER AND TYPE OF STUDY DESIGNS REVIEWED: One case series of 5 dogs. STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Weak. OUTCOMES REPORTED: Successful clinical outcomes were reported in patients both with and without joint lavage. CONCLUSION: No conclusions can be made regarding the impact of joint lavage on haematogenous septic arthritis in juvenile dogs as excellent outcomes were achieved in patients with and without lavage. However appropriate antibiosis continues to be pertinent with one case persistently infected when inappropriate antibiotics were selected.