Intravenous regional antibiotic perfusion as an adjunctive therapy to treat osteomyelitis in a common snapping turtle ( <i>Chelydra serpentina</i> )

A wild, adult, male common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) presented to North Carolina State University's Turtle Rescue Team (TRT) with injuries consistent vehicular trauma. Injuries included head trauma an associated superficial lesion of the and overpronated left forelimb a necrotic wound on palmar surface. Osteomyelitis localised was considered primary differential based radiographic findings clinical signs. To treat osteomyelitis, regional antibiotic limb perfusions were conducted approximately once per week. After conducting seven total perfusions, patient's ambulation mentation improved significantly there no progression osteomyelitis repeated radiographs. The patient released wild after 5 months under human care. This case report demonstrates potential use perfusion as adjunctive therapy for in chelonians.