Penguin with destructive joint infection/osteomyelitis

Re: Penguin with destructive joint infection/osteomyelitis

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 17:13:15 GMT

[quote user="Malcolm Ness"]Can someone tell me how to insert images into a post?[/quote]

When you reply to a post, you should see an icon which looks like a filmstrip above the text entry box, towards the rhs. Click that, browse to the file on your computer, then press 'insert'.

Re: Penguin with destructive joint infection/osteomyelitis

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:44:57 GMT

As a postscript to this unfortunately poor Bruce the penguin was PTS today, he was doing reasonably well on NSAIDs but he went right off his leg today. His keeper decided enough was enough and there are no funds for ongoing trreatment or surgery. His companion is off to Longleat. Here is a picture of Bruce before his demise - ready for big ahhhh....

Re: Penguin with destructive joint infection/osteomyelitis

Malcolm Ness — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 17:58:57 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]. Ditto the request for the radiographs Malcolm, out of interest more than anything [/quote]

Can someone tell me how to insert images into a post?

Currently in Italy depending on a painfully slow wifi so it might have to wait until I am home at the weekend.

Re: Penguin with destructive joint infection/osteomyelitis

Bob Russell — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 15:07:27 GMT

Following advice given here I have had a duck on antibiotics and NSAI's as required. It was on them for six weeks and did really well. Baytril and Clinacin!

Very rudely I didn't thank Marie Kubiak for that advice! Thanks from me, Dennis (our bird man!) and a very happy duck!!!

Re: Penguin with destructive joint infection/osteomyelitis

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 13:54:40 GMT

[quote user="Marie Kubiak"]

What range of movement does the joint have in comparison to the other leg? My main concern would be pododermatitis of the contralateral foot as there is a high likelihood of asymmetrical weight bearing and Humboldts are fairly chunky. I would continue antibiotics for a minimum of a month, NSAIDs for a couple of weeks and see how it manages with locomotion but get the owner to regularly check the platar surfaces of both feet.

Malcolm, I'd be interested to see rads, I worry in penguins about foot mobility with changes to the intertarsal joint so heartening to hear they can cope with it arthrodesed.

Marie

[/quote] There is reduced movement in that joint but when it weight-bears following bouts of treatment it seems to plant its foot reasonably normally. Ditto the request for the radiographs Malcolm, out of interest more than anything as I can't see the keeper going for surgery.

Re: Penguin with destructive joint infection/osteomyelitis

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 13:50:06 GMT

[quote user="Mark Rowland"]Whole body rads for asper wouldn't hurt.[/quote] we have a whole body picture because we wanted a view of its spine as well as it has a hunchback, there is a spinal deformity but no suggestion that it's the result of an infectious process, I'm not quite sure what aspergillus would look like but I presume I'd see radiolucent patches in the lungs and airsacs? Keeper may be reluctant to spend more on bloods, I suspect he would prefer just to keep it on NSAIDs if necessary and its curtains if it doesn't respond or it gets renal disease.

Re: Penguin with destructive joint infection/osteomyelitis

Marie Kubiak — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 13:48:31 GMT

Malcolm, I'd be interested to see rads, I worry in penguins about foot mobility with changes to the intertarsal joint so heartening to hear they can cope with it arthrodesed.

Marie

Re: Penguin with destructive joint infection/osteomyelitis

Malcolm Ness — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 21:31:31 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]what chance is there of this poor bird now fully fledged using its leg in the log term with this amount tof joint destruction [/quote]

I've got some rads of a Penguin that had this joint arthrodesed using a pin and a SOP locking plate following a septic arthritis. Apparently the bird did well long-term following the surgery. I will try and find the images if you are interested. Obviously, it is essential that the infection is resolved before implants are placed.

Re: Penguin with destructive joint infection/osteomyelitis

Mark Rowland — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 20:02:17 GMT

Some bloods wouldn't hurt at this point, it will give you an idea about inflammatory foci. Whole body rads for asper wouldn't hurt. bloods will also give you an idea about renal function for your continued NSAIDS and other pain meds. Here's an article on blood collection. http://www.nemociptaku.cz/penguins-zwm-angl.pdf Goodluck, the prognosis has to be guarded.