Group 12

Scenario: small skeletally immature animal with puncture wound into the bone causing 
osteomyelitis

Symptoms: non-weight bearing lameness, visible exterior wound likely

History: wound, sudden onset of clinical signs

Clinical observations/P.E.: lameness, localized pain and swelling, possibly febrile, 
purulent exudate possible, leukocytosis, positive bacterial culture, abcess formation

Specialty findings: early radiographs may show only non-specific soft tissue changes, 
followed by bone destruction 10-14 days after infection.  In comparison to the 
hematogenously spread large animal case may see more extensive tissue involvement and 
effusion

Management plan: start antimicrobial therapy with clindamycin until culture and 
seneitivity results available, drain local abcess if not resolved within 3 days, depending 
on severity may require surgical debridement 

Prognosis: fair to good prognosis with treatment and no bone fragments; chronic 
osteomyelitis has guarded prognosis