Diagnosis of quinolone-induced arthropathy in juvenile dogs by use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

The present study was carried out to confirm whether arthropathy in juvenile dogs induced by ofloxacin, a new quinolone antibacterial agent, may be diagnosed by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Three-month-old male beagle dogs were orally administered ofloxacin at 20 mg/kg once daily for 7 consecutive days. On day 8, MR images were obtained with a 4.7-tesla (T) super-conductive high magnetic field strength unit. An irregular cartilage surface and dissecans changes in the distal femoral condyle were observed. These MR findings were essentially consistent with pathologic observation showing multifocal blisters on the articular cartilage with an increased amount of turbid synovial fluid in the joint. The results demonstrate that occurrence of ofloxacin arthropathy in juvenile dogs can be clearly diagnosed by use of MR imaging.