An uncommon case: feline tail post-traumatic osteomyelitis

Post-traumatic osteomyelitis (OM) is an uncommon event in cats, usually affecting distal phalanges of extremities. Tail injuries seldom cause bone infection, but often result in neural damage with subsequent tail paralysis, and occasionally in urinary/fecal incontinence. We present a case of old stray cat which developed post-traumatic tail OM, and endured it for years. It was an immuno-compromised, neglected, animal strongly infested with larvae of Aelurostrongylus abs trusus and oocistae of Isospora felis. Ultimately, it was treated by tail amputation, with without any health consequences.  Relevance and novel information: This report describes the management and outcome of a rare and a life-threatening case of feline post-traumatic  tail OM which was previously not reported in literature.