Immune-mediated polyarthritis causes painful joint inflammation in multiple joints simultaneously, requiring immunosuppressive treatment that is often effective when the right protocol is found.
Dogs with IMPA experience severe whole-body joint pain that makes walking, lying down, and getting up all painful. Affected dogs may be carried to the examination room or cry when their joints are manipulated. The diffuse nature of the pain creates profound welfare impairment that affects every aspect of daily life. The good response rate to appropriate immunosuppressive therapy makes accurate diagnosis important - dogs that could be comfortable are living in significant pain when the condition goes unrecognized or undertreated.