Bacteremia and septic arthritis in a West African dwarf crocodile

An anorectic, adult West African dwarf crocodile was examined because of bilateral hind limb paresis. Clinical findings included multiple skin wounds, osteomyelitis of the distal portions of the right radius and ulna, severe anemia, and Serratia marcescens bacteremia. The crocodile died after a blood transfusion. At necropsy, hemorrhage in the subarachnoid space, suppurative polyarthritis, and gastric ulceration were found. Serratia marcescens and Morganella morganii were isolated from multiple tissues and body fluids. It was concluded that the bilateral paresis was caused by severe septic arthritis secondary to bacteremia, and that the crocodile died from spinal injury caused by the blood transfusion into the supravertebral vein.