Vertebral osteomyelitis due to Nocardia in a dog.

Vertebral osteomyelitis in a Kelpie crossbred bitch was diagnosed on clinical and radiological grounds. Nocardia spp was isolated from a sample of the infected bone obtained during surgery. Decompressive surgery was performed in an attempt to relieve the pressure of the infected vertebrae on the spinal cord. The contraindication of the use of corticosteroids is emphasised when dealing with back pain of unknown aetiology.