Osteomyelitis of Cervical Vertebrae in Foal: Clinical Aspects, Radiographic Images and Computed Tomography

Osteomyelitis of the vertebral body is a rare condition, and its prognostic is reserved in several species, causing spinal cord involvement, and neurological manifestations. In foals, the disease can be resulted from an infection caused by several bacteria, in which R. equi has a higher incidence among the responsible agents. The objective of this report is to describe the osteomyelitis occurrence on the structures that constitute the atlantoaxial joint in a 115 day-old foal. At the cervical spine radiographic exam suspected a fracture in the odontoid process. After the radiograph results, associated to the clinical manifestations, and the owner’s interest, it was decided to euthanize the animal. In order to find a more accurate diagnosis, a myelography and a myelotomography were performed. The radiograph was not enough to identify precisely the vertebral disorders, whilst the computerized tomography detected the lesions related to the condition was confirmed later with necropsy and histopathological evaluation.