OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Osteomyelitis
Synonyms: Bone Infection
Summary
Osteomyelitis is the inflammation of bone caused by infection. It is more common in foals than adults.
Bone can become infected when it loses its blood supply and a piece of bone dies. The blood supply for bone typically enters from the outside covering, and if this is scraped away or damaged during wounding, the underlying bone may die. This is a chronic and troublesome complication most common in equine limb wounds.
Bacterial infection of a joint can also extend into underlying bone. Osteomyelitis worsens the prognosis of joint infections, making them very difficult to treat.
Bone can become infected when it loses its blood supply and a piece of bone dies. The blood supply for bone typically enters from the outside covering, and if this is scraped away or damaged during wounding, the underlying bone may die. This is a chronic and troublesome complication most common in equine limb wounds.
Bacterial infection of a joint can also extend into underlying bone. Osteomyelitis worsens the prognosis of joint infections, making them very difficult to treat.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
Good in most cases, with prompt and appropriate treatment.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
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Drainage from Wound, Generally
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Drainage from Face or Head
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Lameness, Severe, Cannot Support Weight on Limb
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Reluctant to Move, Walk. Not Under Saddle
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Lameness, Generally
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Proud Flesh, Healing Wound Developed Raised Red Tissue
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Penetrating Nail or other Object in Sole, Hoof or Frog
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Wound to Face or Head with Obvious Broken Bone, Fracture Involved
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Wound to Withers
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Wound at or near Carpus (Knee)
Rare
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Swelling around Shoulder & Elbow
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Lameness, Chronic Front Limb
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Drainage from Under or Behind Jaw
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Neck Swelling
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Drainage from Poll or Neck behind Skull
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Single Lump or Swelling on Lower Limb or Leg
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Wound to Body, Neck or Back
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Drainage from Site on Upper Limb or Leg
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Wound or Puncture Smells
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Hard Bump on Inside of Lower Hock
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Gunshot Wound Suspected
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Lame or Sore after Farrier Visit
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High Nail on Hoof Wall
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Swelling on Poll or Neck behind Skull
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- What are the options for treatment of osteomyelitis?
Prevention
The only way in which the incidence of osteomyelitis can be decreased is through good early wound care. In cases of infected joint, aggressive treatment reduces the likelihood of osteomyelitis.
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health
Outside Resources
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