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Mandibular and maxillary osteomyelitis and myositis in a captive herd of red kangaroos (Macropus rufus)

Correspondence: ¹Corresponding Author: Debra L. Miller, University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, 43 Brighton Road, Tifton, GA 31793. dmiller{at}tifton.uga.edu

Jaw infections in macropods are common and will result in mortality if not promptly diagnosed and aggressively treated. They have most often been reported in wallabies; however, in the current case, the gross and histopathologic findings, microbial culture, and management of jaw infections in a population of red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) housed in a zoological park are described. Three red kangaroos, among a group of 23, were submitted for necropsy after death after progressively invasive and nonresolving jaw infections. Extensive bone and soft-tissue inflammation and necrosis were observed in all animals. A mixed population of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria was cultured; however, Pseudomonas spp. was consistently isolated from the sites of infection in all animals. Parental administration of gentamicin and penicillin, along with daily oral flushing of the wounds with Betadine, removal of all rough forage, and hand feeding soft-pelleted feed, was effective in controlling the progression of disease in 1 affected animal. This case documents an important disease in an additional macropod species and identifies predisposing factors, possible etiologies, and treatment and/or management options.

Key Words: Macropus rufus • oral osteomyelitis