Management of intertarsal septic arthritis in an ostrich (Struthio camelus)

Abstract 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 t...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Melanie J. Peel, Rodrigo S. Garcés Torres, Marina Ivančić, Benjamín E. Alcántar Hernández
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2022-01-01
Series:Veterinary Medicine and Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.643
Description
Summary:Abstract 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.
ISSN:2053-1095