Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with recurring chest skin sores from infected bite wound bone
By Yu, Seung-Yeon & Lee, Sungin·Published in Veterinary medicine and science·2024·Department of Veterinary Surgery, South Korea·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Recurrent skin opening induced by chronic sternal osteomyelitis caused by a bite wound in a cat: A case report.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old male domestic shorthair cat was brought in for recurring skin openings every 3-4 months, which were caused by chronic sternal osteomyelitis (a bone infection) from a previous bite wound. Despite attempts to clean and repair the skin, the problem persisted until a thorough examination revealed a deeper infection. The veterinarian performed surgery to remove infected bone and tissue, along with flushing the abscess, and prescribed long-term antibiotics. Fortunately, the cat has been free of any further issues for 18 months after the treatment.
People also search for: cat skin opening treatment · cat bite wound infection · chronic osteomyelitis in cats · cat surgery recovery · cat antibiotics for infection
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic sternal osteomyelitis is a rare condition in felines, with limited reported cases to date. OBJECTIVES: We report the case of a 2-year-old castrated male, domestic shorthair cat, weighing 4.68 kg, that presented with skin openings every 3-4 months, despite skin debridement and reconstruction. METHODS: A subcutaneous dead space larger than the skin defect was detected. Haematological analysis revealed elevated levels of inflammatory markers. Thoracic radiography revealed sternal deformation and suspected osteomyelitis. Computed tomography revealed a fistula extending from the third to the fourth sternebrae. RESULTS: Bone and soft tissue debridement and abscess flushing were performed along with long-term antibiotic therapy. The cat remained recurrence-free throughout an 18-month post-surgery follow-up period. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of chronic osteomyelitis occurring in a cat's sternebrae and represents the first successful case of its treatment. This case showcases the potential for improved treatment outcomes in similar cases. Understanding and successful treatment of such cases can pave the way for better management of feline osteomyelitis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38563757/