Osteomyelitis in the Veterinary Species

Abstract

Osteomyelitis has been defined as an inflammatory process of bone that is accompanied by bone destruction, and is caused by infecting microorganisms. Osteomyelitis has a number of aetiologies in the veterinary species, but haema- togenous, traumatic and iatrogenic causes are the most frequent. Osteomyelitis is frequently challenging to manage and treat, due to the ability of bacteria to evade and overcome both host defences and antimicrobial agents. Prior to availability of antimicrobial agents, bacterial osteomyelitis had a 50% mortality rate in man and whilst the prognosis has improved considerably with the advent of such drugs, treatment can often be extremely problematic. Treatment usually requires pro- longed antibiosis frequently administered in conjunction with surgical debridement of the affected bone.