Vertebral Osteomyelitis in a Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura similis) and a Red Tegu (Salvator rufescens)

Abstract

The present report describes the clinical, gross pathologic and radiologic features of vertebral osteomyelitis in a black spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura similis) and a red tegu (Salvator refuscens). Both lizards were presented with hind limb ataxia and proprioception deficits and based on radiographic and computed tomographic imaging, a presumptive diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis was made. Microbiological examination of vertebral body biopsies revealed Morganella morganii and Enterococcus faecalis infection in the iguana and Enterobacter cloacae infection in the tegu. Failure of antimicrobial treatment in both lizards was considered to be at least partly attributable to the tardy onset of clinical signs resulting in a late diagnosis and pronounced chronicity of the vertebral lesions. While vertebral osteomyelitis has been repeatedly reported in snakes, reports in saurian species are scarce and rather anecdotal. Based on the findings in these cases, however, vertebral osteomyelitis should be considered as an important differential diagnosis for hind limb ataxia in lizards.