Clinical history The swelling centered on the elbow and had been present for 2 months during which time antibiotics had been administered several times. Radiographs were made of the forelegs Radiographs of a rabbit Radiographic features
- Highly destructive lesions involve the humerus, radius, and ulna as well as causing destruction of the elbow joint permitting displacement of the radial head laterally
- Cortical destruction is prominent
- Periosteal new bone is minimal and limited to the caudal and medial surfaces of the ulna
- The zones of transition are rather short
- Soft tissue swelling is prominent laterally and caudally
- Remaining joints are radiographically normal
Differential diagnosis
- Primary bone tumor - not likely because of involvement of multiple bones on both sides of the elbow joint
- Metastatic bone tumor - not likely because of the magnitude of destruction and the tendency to center around the elbow joint
- Bone infection - most likely because of the degree of bone destruction, joint destruction, and adjacent soft tissue masses - severity of change is probably due to the chronic nature of the lesions
Comments
- The infection probably spread to the bones from adjacent soft tissue lesions
- The expected infection would be Pasteurellosis - culture was negative in this rabbit -
- The radiographic features of bone disease in the exotic species are generally similar to that seen in the dog - differences in frequency of certain diseases is noted in exotic species -
- Radiographic techniques for exotic species are similar to that used in the dog and cat except for studies of the teeth -
