Dodo is a very lovable 4 year old terrier that presented to our clinic in a lot of pain.
On examination we found Dodo had a high fever and a “shifting” lameness (this means the pain in the leg changes from one limb to another).
After a workup with Dr Tanya and Dr Jaime, which included blood tests and a joint tap (collecting fluid from inside the joint), Dodo was diagnosed with a disease called Immune Mediated Polyarthritis, or IMPA.
This is an autoimmune disease, where the body attacks its own joints, similar to rheumatoid arthritis in people.
Dodo was treated with medications to suppress his immune response, and therefore prevent the inflammation and pain the immune system was causing in his joints.
Dodo is on his way to a full recovery with ongoing medication and the loving support of his family.
