You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Polyarthritis associated with specific Breeds has been documented, suggesting genetic inheritance.

The following Breed-related polyarthritis syndromes have been recognised in dogs :

• Akitas, Boxers and Weimaraners - immune-mediated polyarthritis with meningitis. The disease occurs in young dogs and the response to treatment with immunosuppressive drugs is poor.
• Beagles, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and German Shorthaired Pointers - polyarthritis with meningeal vasculitis - responds well to immunosuppressive drugs.
• Chinese Sharpei - Progressive renal amyloidosis and polyarthritis . Signs include fever and swelling of the hocks and carpi. No treatment is successful and corticosteroids are contraindicated 

Updated January 2016 

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