29 May Bone Infection in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

Osteomyelitis is an inflammation of the bone or bone marrow caused by a bacterial or fungal infection. This inflammation can be acute or chronic and usually spreads to other parts of the body. It often happens when the infection is transmitted to the bone by the bloodstream. Knowing the source of the bone infection will have a great impact on the treatment process.

Symptoms of dog bone infection

The symptoms of this disease depend on the area involved. But the main symptoms generally include:

• the pain

• Inflation

• Fever

• Weakness and lethargy

• Depression

• Persistent wounds

If the infection is severe and the dog may be lame or unable to move the affected limb easily. In this case, symptoms such as purulent discharge and muscle loss (muscle atrophy) also occur. Dogs must have a standard and comfortable mattress and sleeping area so that their bodies aren’t bothered.

Causes of a dog bone infection

In general, the main cause of this disease is a fungal or bacterial infection. This infection can start from a wound. Other reasons include:

• strike

• Fracture

• Surgery

• Joint prosthesis implantation

• Open wound

• Being bitten

• Claw wound

• Infections that reach the bone.

A dog bone infection diagnoses

You should provide a complete history of your dog’s health, the onset of symptoms and possible events that may have led to the disease. The history you provide may give your veterinarian an idea of ​​whether the disease is acute or chronic. Your veterinarian will take a complete blood count (CBC), blood and urine test for your dog to get a complete picture of his or her health. The results of this laboratory test usually show an underlying infection and the extent to which the immune system responds to the existing infection. The vet may identify Infection in dogs by blood culture, deep needle aspiration, bone biopsy, or cytology, which are recommended depending on the dog’s condition.

Various diagnostic and further tests, such as X-rays, may be needed to determine the location of the inflammation and ensure treatment. Ultrasound can provide a clearer picture of the bones, allowing the veterinarian to determine the amount of inflammation and the areas to be examined. To identify the infectious organ, the vet may prescribe a culture of pus or other fluid around the site of the infection, and the results of this test will help determine the best treatment.

Be sure to treat your dog’s wounds and injuries by visiting a veterinarian. The remaining infection in dogs can lead to dangerous diseases. If you notice any abnormal gait, daily habits and behaviours of your dog, see a veterinarian to find the cause and diagnose the disease. Many diseases are completely cured with early treatments.

Treatment

Treatment may be medical or surgical, depending on the dog’s age and condition and severity. Both treatments require cleaning the wound and draining the pus from the infected area. If the infection results from a bone fracture, the vet must fix the bone and the dead bone fragments removed surgically. Of course, be careful that your dog doesn’t injure his body and paws while walking to prevent infection.

• Medical treatment

After reviewing the culture results, your veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and prevent it from growing or antifungal drugs to treat the fungal infection. A course of antibiotics can cure the infection. Antibiotics are given orally or injected over a long period to ensure that the infection is completely gone.

• Surgical treatment

Depending on the extent of the infection, your dog may need surgery to drain the affected area, remove the wound, and remove large pieces of dead tissue around the fracture. If the fracture is severe, the veterinarian will use plates, pins, or screws to secure the bone. Sometimes in very acute cases, amputation is done to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the body and save your dog’s life.

The healing process of osteomyelitis is long. If the injury is severe, your dog may not be able to put weight on the injured limb. The bone must also be stabilised during healing, meaning that any regular activity and movement must be restricted. It would be best to create a calm and safe environment for your dog to rest for the fracture to heal. Be sure to distract him from things that make him anxious or upset. In addition, proper nutrition during this period leads to rapid recovery. Get complete information from your veterinarian about foods and supplements to boost bone repair. Mishkagrooming specialised team with a group of experienced and skilled groomers has accompanied you in this way and helped your dear dog to be always happy and energetic. All you have to do is guarantee your dogs health by leaving their cleaning and grooming to us.