A 14-yr-old female eastern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) presented with progressive suppurative
osteomyelitis in her left hind lateral toe. beta-Hemolytic Streptococcus sp. was isolated. The animal was treated with multiple systemic
antibiotics, and topical
wound cleansing. Repeated
debridements and nail trimmings were performed for 5 mo prior to electing
amputation. The toe was surgically amputated under
general anesthesia between the first and second phalanges.
Analgesia was diffused into the
wound topically via a
catheter and elastomeric pump. The open
amputation site was covered with adherent drapes and a
negative-pressure wound therapy device provided
vacuum-assisted closure (V.A.C.) for 72 hr. Three months later this animal developed a deep dermal
ulcer on the lateral aspect of the right hind limb, at the level of the stifle. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was isolated. The
wound was managed by initial daily lavage, followed by 1 mo of V.A.C.
therapy, with 72 hr between dressing changes. Clinically, this
therapy expedited the formation of healthy granulation tissue and overall healing was accelerated. The animal tolerated the machine and
bandage changes well via operant conditioning. The use of
negative-pressure wound therapy appeared to shorten time to resolution of slow-healing
wounds in black rhinoceros.