Clinical findings and outcome in goats with discospondylitis and vertebral osteomyelitis

J Vet Intern Med. 2024 May-Jun;38(3):1925-1931. doi: 10.1111/jvim.17035. Epub 2024 Mar 14.

Abstract

Background: Vertebral infections, including vertebral osteomyelitis, septic physitis, and discospondylitis, are rarely reported in goats, and when reported, have been largely limited to necropsy case reports.

Objective: Describe clinical findings and outcome in goats with vertebral infections evaluated by computed tomography (CT).

Animals: Five goats with vertebral osteomyelitis, septic physitis, and discospondylitis evaluated by CT.

Methods: Retrospective case series.

Results: The 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 importance: Despite 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.

Keywords: caprine; neuroimaging; neurology; spinal cord disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Discitis / drug therapy
  • Discitis / veterinary
  • Goat Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Goat Diseases* / pathology
  • Goats*
  • Osteomyelitis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteomyelitis* / drug therapy
  • Osteomyelitis* / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Spinal Diseases / drug therapy
  • Spinal Diseases / pathology
  • Spinal Diseases / veterinary
  • Spondylitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Spondylitis / drug therapy
  • Spondylitis / veterinary
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed* / veterinary