Open AccessManagement of intertarsal septic arthritis in an ostrich ( Struthio camelus )
Author(s) -
Peel Melanie J.,
Torres Rodrigo S. Garcés,
Ivančić Marina,
Hernández Benjamín E. Alcántar
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
veterinary medicine and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.485
H-Index - 11
ISSN - 2053-1095
DOI - 10.1002/vms3.643
Subject(s) - arthrotomy , medicine , septic arthritis , arthritis , lameness , struthio , infectious arthritis , antibiotics , surgery , anatomy , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , arthroscopy
A 7‐year‐old female ostrich ( Struthio camelus ) presented with lameness, left intertarsal joint swelling and a healing wound on the caudomedial aspect of the joint. Synovial culture revealed Corynebacterium species and radiographs were consistent with progressive septic arthritis. Multiple treatments were attempted including through‐and‐through joint lavage, intra‐articular antibiotics, caudomedial arthrotomy, and regional limb perfusion in conjunction with systemic antibiotics and analgesia. Euthanasia was ultimately performed due to prolonged recumbency and poor prognosis. This report describes novel therapies and a surgical approach utilized for treatment of intertarsal septic arthritis in an ostrich and exemplifies the poor prognosis described in other species presenting with non‐responsive septic arthritis of critical joints.