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Monday, May 12, 2008, 11:39 AM
Young animals are susceptible to bone infection Barbara Cotton | Veterinarian Many new critters and young animals make their entry into this world during the months of spring. Youth is often a time of discovery, play, and learning; but it can also prove a time of infection, trauma, and disease. Infection can affect many areas of the body, including skin, ears, and eyes. Infection and inflammation can also occur in the bone and bone marrow. This condition is known as osteomyelitis, and can be caused by many factors. Infection can spread to the bone from a primary blood-borne infection or can spread from other infected sites in the body. Bone infection can also result from direct infection of the bone by trauma, surgery, or injections. Infection can also involve an area of a fracture after surgical repair has been performed. This can delay healing and make the fracture or any implants unstable or loosen. In a fracture, the bone fragments are meant to unite and form a "bony bridge" once they are repaired, however, this may not take place in an area of bone infection. Young animals are often affected with acute or sudden onset of bone infections. This is often secondary to another source of infection, such as the intestinal tract, respiratory system, or umbilical area. These animals will often have a history of either being premature or having failure of passive transfer (FPT). FPT occurs when the newborn does not get enough colostrum within the first few hours of life. These animals will often become more susceptible to infections and other problems. Acute cases of osteomyelitis often have an area of swelling around the affected bone(s), are painful, lame, and may have a fever. Loss of appetite, depression, and weakness are also common in these cases. Joints may also be affected, and can be swollen and painful. Chronic infections also occur. These animals may have lameness, and the affected area(s) can be swollen and painful. Draining tracts may also occur, and may have a pus-like discharge coming from the area. Most cases of chronic osteomyelitis are associated with some type of direct trauma to the bone. Diagnosis of osteomyelitis is based on blood work, x-rays, and cultures of affected areas. In acute cases, x-rays can show swelling, areas of bone destruction, or hole-like lesions within the bone. More chronic changes are seen in chronically affected animals. In acute cases, blood work will often show an increased level of white blood cells; however, chronic cases may have normal white blood cell counts. If joints are also affected, joint fluid may be sampled and analyzed. In cases where a blood-borne infection is suspected, blood may be cultured to help identify a culprit organism(s). Sites of infection may also be sampled and cultured (usually done surgically) to help confirm the final diagnosis. Early cases of osteomyelitis can be treated aggressively with antibiotics, but most cases will require surgery to help clean out areas of infection or dead bone. Difficult cases may respond to bone grafts or other surgical therapies. Animals undergoing repair of a fracture should be placed on antibiotics before, during, and after surgery. Newborn animals should be closely monitored to ensure that they suckle well, and that they receive enough colostrum from their mothers. Any newborn or young animal that develops signs of infection such as a runny nose, diarrhea, cough, or infected umbilicus, should be treated immediately to help prevent spread to other areas. Stables, corrals, and pastures should be regularly examined to find any sources of sharp objects, holes, or other potential hazards, to help prevent wounds and traumatic injuries. You may not be able to prevent an infection, but you can keep your livestock and horses safe this spring, so they won't have to pick a bone with you.
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