Use of antibiotic impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads for the treatment of chronic mandibular osteomyelitis in a Bennett's wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus)

Antibiotic impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads were surgically implanted into the mandible of an adult Bennett's wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus) suffering from chronic mandibular osteomyelitis that had proven refractory to systemic antibiotic treatment. Although a discrete inflammatory mass remained, clinical signs of inappetance and a discharging sinus were alleviated following implantation of the beads. This procedure resulted in a more satisfactory outcome than other methods of treatment used previously for this condition and avoided the problems associated with regular handling and prolonged medication.