Suspected panosteitis in a camel.
METHODS
A 6-month-old male Bactrian camel was examined because of a 3-week history of lameness of the left hind limb.


RESULTS
Lameness was initially detected in the left hind limb but resolved and was detected in the right hind limb during treatment. Lameness increased during periods of rapid growth. Radiography revealed multiple small opacities of the medullary cavity of several long bones throughout treatment. Core bone biopsies of lesions in the tibiae revealed lamellar bone with areas of loose connective tissue, osteoblasts in the medullary cavity, and periosteal new bone formation, all which were consistent with panosteitis.


RESULTS
Palliative treatment was attempted with epidural and transdermal administration of analgesics. Flunixin meglumine was administered PO, which coincided with an abrupt increase in serum creatinine concentration. Performance of multiple diagnostic bone biopsies led to remission of clinical signs of pain.


CONCLUSIONS
Panosteitis should be a differential diagnosis for shifting limb lameness in young camels. Bone biopsies can be useful for diagnosis of panosteitis and possible relief of pain associated with the disease. Bactrian camels may be susceptible to the renal toxicity of flunixin meglumine, especially when dehydrated.
Levine
David G
DG
Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348-1692, USA.
Smith
Jennifer J
JJ
Richardson
Dean W
DW
Brown
Valerie
V
Beech
Jill
J
Habecker
Perry
P
Adam
Emma
E
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002162:Camelus; D003002:Clonixin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D010000:Osteitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D059408:Pain Management; D010166:Palliative Care; D011448:Prostaglandin Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011859:Radiography
D011448:Prostaglandin Antagonists; C014558:flunixin meglumine; D003002:Clonixin