Inflammatory arthritis in canids: Spondyloarthropathy

Spondyloarthropathy was observed in 25 (2.8%) of 895 preserved canid museum specimens and was catalogued by species. The associated skeletal alteratio ns in canids are indistinguishable grossly and physiologically from those i n humans with spondyloarthropathy of the reactive type. Rate of affliction was independent of captive or wild-caught status or gender. In canids, spon dyloarthropathy was much more common than osteoarthritis (0.3%), which pred ominantly is limited to captive animals. Animal well-being may be enhanced by recognition of the condition and initiation of specific treatment.