Muntjac lump under skin near shoulder advice please.

[baguio]

It is a matter of chance where the infection localises out, however an already inflamed joint that has a very dense capillary bed can act as a filter for particulate matter including bacteria. Also where the vascular anatomy results in very slow blood flow like adjacent to the growth plates in young animals this can predispose to infection localising in that joint.

Thank you. Suspect that the hind I shot had caught it’s leg on barbed wire. Was told by my vet friend to look for a scar. Hadn’t considered that the scar might not be on the joint or that there may not even be there at all.

 

[geoffw]

Don’t think that that’s correct Geoff. Septic arthritis is caused by joints getting infected through open wounds. The infected joint then heals nearly solid if not treated. When cut through, the joint will be red around the surface of the joint. The original wound will likely still be visible on the skin surface.
Below is a perfect example of septic arthritus in a red hind I shot last season. You can see the original scar on the right side of the middle picture. I had to use a saw to take the leg off.
I can see no reason why any glands would be swollen once the infection has been fought off.

Wrote the below before reading the rest of the learned comments, but Veterinarian wisdom might support my hunch.
“Even a blind dog may stumble upon a dead rat” as my old dad says.

Thank you for all the wisdom @srvet @Buchan



You may well be right @baguio.
I’ve only had one old warrior muntie with septic joints (to make a physio weep) and it’s entirely possible that his pre-scapular glands were enlarged for other reasons (it was years ago and all others were normal as I recall).

With age and weakened constitution perhaps there were residual bacteria in the joints, causing the enlargement.

 

[baguio]

Wrote the below before reading the rest of the learned comments, but Veterinarian wisdom might support my hunch.
“Even a blind dog may stumble upon a dead rat” as my old dad says.

Thank you for all the wisdom @srvet @Buchan



You may well be right @baguio.
I’ve only had one old warrior muntie with septic joints (to make a physio weep) and it’s entirely possible that his pre-scapular glands were enlarged for other reasons (it was years ago and all others were normal as I recall).

With age and weakened constitution perhaps there were residual bacteria in the joints, causing the enlargement.

Sadly we will never know geoff. Getting old is not good for your health that's for sure! Glad you posted though because I've learnt a lot about this subject.