Microbial Profile and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Isolates from dogs with Otitis Externa in Kenya. Kenya Veterinarian

Abstract

Degenerative joint disease is a common and important disease that affects humans as well as domestic animals especially dogs and horses. The etiological factors for the disease in humans and animals are similar. The disease is characterised by progressive deterioration of the joint, thinning of hyaline cartilage, joint effusion and periaticular osteophyte formation. Trauma, sepsis, prolonged immobilisation, immune-mediated disease, congenital malarticulation (e.g. hip dysplasia) or developmental diseases (e.g. Osteochondorosis.) may incite the development of degenerative joint disease. The insults stimulate the release of degenerative enzymes from chondrocytes and these destroy the particular cartilage matrix. Two distinct functional process in injured chondorcytes are responsible for the positive feed-back cascade the ultimately results in joint destruction. The catabolic process is induced by proinflammatory stimuli and causes secretion of proteases, suppression of matrix synthesis and inhibition of chndrocytes proliferation. The anablolic programme causes the increased procution of extra cellular matrix, protease inhibitors and cell replication. In the recent past a lot of basic and clinical research on degenerative joint disease has been conduced. Deeper understanding of the pathophysiolgy has resulted in the development of new treatment modalities ffor the disease. Practicing clinicians need to keep a beast with new knowledge and biomedical technology in order to manage their patients in the best way possible. This paper collates the current knowledge of the pathophysilogy and clinical management of degenerative join disease with special reference to the canine species