Use of antimicrobial impregnated calcium sulphate beads in the surgical management of mandibular osteomyelitis in an 8-year-old huacaya alpaca

Abstract

An 8-year-old male huacaya alpaca presented for a left mandibular swelling that was not responsive to antimicrobial treatment. A computed tomography scan was obtained, confirming the presence of a lytic bone destruction and primary mandibular osteomyelitis. Surgical debridement of the area was performed and the surgical site was packed with antibiotic-loaded calcium sulphate beads to provide local antibiotic delivery and support new bone formation. The surgical intervention and implantation of the beads were well tolerated, and no postsurgical issues were reported over the following 12 months. A follow-up computed tomography scan was performed 14 months after surgery and this revealed near-complete restoration of bone architecture and no evidence of active bone destruction. A combination of surgical debridement and antibiotic-loaded calcium sulphate beads is a viable and cost-reasonable option for the treatment of osteomyelitis in camelids.