Clinical-surgical treatment of bacterial osteomyelitis in Kinosternon scorpioides (Linnaeus, 1766) (Testudines, Kinosternidae): Case Report

Abstract

Carapace and plastron injuries are common in chelonian medicine and are often associated with an infectious process. This paper reports a case of osteomyelitis in Kinosternon scorpioides, as well as the surgical clinical treatment adopted. A specimen of K. scorpioides was attended at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal Rural University of Amazonia by the surgical clinical sector whose main complaint was the presence of an extensive lesion in the region of the plastron. After anamnesis, physical examination, x-ray and hemogram were suspected of osteomyelitis, and surgical debridement was indicated. Material from the lesion was collected for microbiological analysis and antibiogram performed, and the presence of Morganella morganii bacteria was identified. Subsequently, treatment with antibiotic and systemic anti-inflammatory, both by intramuscular route, besides topical treatment with antibiotic ointment and cicatrizant, however, the animal came to death 14 days after the procedure. It is concluded that the osteomyelitis reported in this study was of bacterial origin, and clinical surgical treatment was indicated. This report reinforces the importance of periodic veterinary monitoring of captive wild animals and contributes with new information on the treatment of bacterial diseases in this species.