Clinical Characteristics of Trauma-Related Chronic Osteomyelitis in 3 Wild Raccoon Dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides)

Abstract

Osteomyelitis typically occurs because of the direct inoculation of bacteria or fungi after penetrating trauma or surgical contamination or, by extension, from soft tissue infection. Osteomyelitis is rarely reported in wildlife animals, though severe chronic osteomyelitis cases do exist in wildlife owing to the scarcity of medical support in the wild environment. This report describes three cases of chronic osteomyelitis in wild raccoon dogs related to trauma. The typical symptoms of three reported cases were ataxia, stiffness, muscle atrophy, and lethargy. All three cases were relevant to traumatic or severe external injury, and skin infestation caused by ectoparasites was apparent on an ocular inspection. In the radiographic examination, diffuse sites of osteolytic lesions and remarkable periosteal responses were demonstrated around the injured limb in all three cases. Apparent neutrophilia with a left shift, lymphocytosis, and monocytosis in hematological examinations generally indicated chronic infection as shown in case 1 and 3. Treatment was attempted with broad-spectrum antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, enrofloxacin, clindamycin, and meloxicam. These treatment options helped improve the overall prognosis of chronic osteomyelitis, but the outcomes did not meet the treatment goal entirely. Osteomyelitis can be extremely challenging to treat, particularly in wild animals, because of their distinctive traits, such as masking phenomenon and uncontrolled exposure to ectoparasites. Earlier diagnosis with a radiographic examination, hematological examinations, and careful patient monitoring, followed by prolonged antibiotic therapy and restricted exercise, are the key factors leading to a better prognosis.