Articular rheumatism rare. Femoro-tibial joints, bilateral,
remissions. Exudation, swelling of joint; muscular atrophy, weakness,
swaying, staggering, falling, paresis. Chronic, muscular rheumatism
common, back, loins, neck, general, stiff, painful movement,
decubitus, muscles tender, yelps, stiff neck, wry-neck. Masseteric.
Painful defecation and urination. Metastasis. Cardiac symptoms.
Pleurodynia. Digestive troubles. Emaciation, weakness, atony,
paraplegia. Diagnosis from strongylus, stephanurus, and cysticercus.
This affection seems to be rare in the dog. What is known as rheumatism
in this animal, consists in an inflammation with hyperplasia around the
articular ends of the long bones, the new material being partly fibrous
and partly calcified. It shows a special predilection for the
femoro-tibial and confines itself mainly to the inner side of the head
of the tibia. Here the swelling may reach the size of a walnut, The
whole head of the tibia and lower end of the femur are however often
involved, entailing a general enlargement of the joint. It follows the
general rule of rheumatism in usually attacking both stifle joints at
once, and also in alternate ameliorations and relapses. Less frequently
other joints are affected. In all such cases the joints become
overdistended and swollen, partly by synovia, and partly by surrounding
exudate, the muscles of the quarter and thigh become atonic, soft and
flaccid, and are steadily atrophied. The dog shows a lack of strength in
the hind parts, swaying, staggering or even falling, and advancing to a
marked paresis. The malady follows a chronic course, lasting for months,
a year, or more.