Osteomyelitis

The Mayo clinic defines osteomyelitis as:
Osteomyelitis is the medical term for an infection in a bone. Infections can reach a bone by traveling through the bloodstream or spreading from nearby tissue. Osteomyelitis can also begin in the bone itself if an injury exposes the bone to germs.

We know from past cases that infection can set into the bones of the tail and travel up the spine in a glider. This is part of the reason that we recommend swift treatment and (in most cases) amputation when there is tail injury.

SYMPTOMS:
Symptoms can range in severity and in function. Often, the only symptom will be swelling in the area. An infection in the bone is usually accompanied by significant swelling in the tissues surrounding the bone.
You may also see the general symptoms of illness in gliders - lethargy, decreased appetite, feeling the glider is "off"


DIAGNOSIS:
Several tests are required to diagnose osteomyelitis. Your vet might want to run a CBC (blood test) to detect infection. Radiographs (x-rays) are necessary to locate the infection and determine the severity. There might also be the need for taking a bit of the bone for testing. And, if there is fluid surrounding the infected area, they may want to culture the fluid.

The most important of these tests is the radiographs. Changes to the bone are notable in the radiographs and will alert the vet to the location and extent of the infection. These changes may be very subtle, so gently remind your vet to look very closely.


TREATMENT:
Osteomyelitis was once thought incurable in humans and animals, but we now have the ability to treat successfully. However, it is difficult to treat - esp. in sugar gliders. Very strong antibiotics are required. In humans, we often deliver those antibiotics through IV. That is not always possible in animals. So, lengthy treatment with strong antibiotics and/or a combination of antibiotics is necessary. Please note that not all antibiotics are effective in treating infection within the bone.



Osteomyelitis complications may include:

Bone death (osteonecrosis). An infection in the bone can impede blood circulation within the bone, leading to bone death. When we see this in gliders, we usually recommend amputation, unless the bone death is in an unusual area.

Septic arthritis. In some cases, infection within bones can spread into a nearby joint.


I currently have two gliders in my home who have undergone or are undergoing treatment for osteomyelits.

One of them had it in two of the vertebrae of his spine. He was very ill for a long time, but we did successfully treat the infection. The end result is that he has partial paralysis of his back legs. Complications included self mutilation resulting in a tail amputation and the loss of most of the toes of both back feet.

The other glider is currently being treated for osteomyelitis in one of his cheek bones. He has significant swelling on one side of his face. We are trying a new antibiotic treatment with him.