Cervical vertebral osteomyelitis in a 4-month-old foal

Vertebral body osteomyelitis in the cervical spine secondary to Rhodococcus equi has been treated both medically and surgically. This Case Report describes a 4-month-old foal exhibiting severe neurological signs from R. equi vertebral body osteomyelitis. Rapid, significant resolvement of neurological signs was noted in this case with surgical debridement and use of synthetic bone filler. The outcome suggests that aggressive surgical therapy in conjunction with synthetic allograft may be indicated in treatment of cervical vertebral body osteomyelitis.