Page 459 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

• it usually takes 2–3 weeks before a sequestrum is clearly visible on the radiograph.

VetBooks.ir TREATMENT

Treatment involves removal of all unhealthy bone, granulation and scar tissue. This may
require general anaesthesia. The wound is then bandaged and the horse rested until healing is

complete. Antibiotics and tetanus antitoxin will be administered with non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory medication for pain relief as necessary.

PROGNOSIS

The prognosis is generally good.

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is an infection of bone that involves the marrow or medullary cavity (i.e. the

inside of the bone).

CAUSES

• It can occur as a result of a penetrating wound.

• Open fractures where the skin is broken and the bone is exposed are likely to be

contaminated with bacteria and foreign material.
• It can develop following fracture repair despite the administration of antibiotics at the

time of surgery.
• It may develop as an extension of a joint infection.

• Bone may become infected in foals that have abscesses elsewhere in the body or are

septicaemic. Bacteria that get into the bloodstream are able to colonize bone because the
blood flow through it is quite slow.

CLINICAL SIGNS

These include:
• severe lameness

• soft tissue swelling

• pain on palpation and manipulation of the affected area

• heat
• poor wound healing

• development of a discharging sinus