Affiliation:
1. Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida Gainesville Florida USA
2. Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida Gainesville Florida USA
3. IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. Clackamas Oregon USA
4. Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA
Abstract
AbstractBackgroundVertebral infections, including vertebral osteomyelitis, septic physitis, and discospondylitis, are rarely reported in goats, and when reported, have been largely limited to necropsy case reports.ObjectiveDescribe clinical findings and outcome in goats with vertebral infections evaluated by computed tomography (CT).AnimalsFive goats with vertebral osteomyelitis, septic physitis, and discospondylitis evaluated by CT.MethodsRetrospective case series.ResultsThe most common presenting complaints were progressive weakness, paresis and recumbency. Three goats were tetraparetic and 2 goats had pelvic limb paraparesis. Clinicopathologic findings included leukocytosis, mature neutrophilia, and hyperfibrinogenemia. The most common vertebrae affected were C7‐T1. All 5 goats had discospondylitis with or without vertebral osteomyelitis and septic physitis. Computed tomographic evidence of spinal cord compression was present in 4/5 goats. Medical management (antimicrobials, physical therapy, analgesia, supportive care) was attempted in 4 goats, and 1 goat was euthanized at the time of diagnosis. All 4 goats that were treated regained ambulatory ability and survived to hospital discharge.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceDespite severity of CT imaging findings, goats with discospondylitis, septic physitis, and vertebral osteomyelitis can successfully return to ambulatory function. Additional studies are required to determine ideal treatment regimens.