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CASE SUMMARIES

BOVINE

Two aborted bovine fetuses, from the same farm, are presented to the Kord Diagnostic Lab approximately five days apart.  Necropsy and histology unremarkable.  Bacterial culture revealed Salmonella sp. from multiple organs. Diagnosis: Abortion due to Salmonella bacteria.

A cow with a history of ingesting spilled fertilizer is presented to the lab. Tissues are very autolyzed, but ocular fluid is able to be obtained and revealed high levels of Nitrates and Potassium.  Conclusion:  Nitrate toxicosis. 

A dead calf is presented for necropsy with no history of known illness and suddenly found dead.  Grossly skeletal muscles are pale, mild hemorrhages are present along parietal pleural intercostals areas, and the lungs are consolidated in cranioventral areas involving approximately 60 – 70% of the tissue. 

Histopathology revealed multifocal suppurative bronchopneumonia, alveolar edema, severe fibrinous pleuritis and diffuse congestion, multiple abscesses and caseation necrosis.  Liver has diffuse centrolobular congestion and necrosis and multifocal mild cholangitis.  Selenium levels are also in the deficient range and IBR, BVD, BRSV FA’s are negative. Large numbers of Histophilus somnus are cultured from the lungs.  Diagnosis:  Histophilus pneumonia with low selenium levels.

 EQUINE

A young mare presented for necropsy with a short clinical course of dyspnea, lethargy and ataxia. Death occurred within several minutes of onset of symptoms.  Necropsy revealed a lacerated spleen.  Diagnosis:  Lacerated spleen with internal hemorrhage.

FELINE

A female kitten presented for necropsy with a history of fever, seizuring and a negative FeLV/FIV test.  Gross exam revealed an extensive fibrinous peritonitis.  FIP-FA and FIP indirect FA were both positive. This supported both a gross and histological diagnosis of Feline Infectious Peritonitis.

An eight year old spayed female cat is presented with a history of not acting right, vomiting and very   yellow serum.  The cat had been in respiratory distress and arrested when placed on fluids.  At necropsy the liver was very fatty, and floated when placed in formalin.  The lungs were dark red and edematous, and had mild serous atrophy of fat around the heart.  Diagnosis:  Hepatic Lipidosis, (Fatty Liver Disease).

CANINE

An adult Welch Corgi like dog, with a history of lateral recumbencey, hyperesthesia and seizures with no response to treatment presented to the lab after being euthanized.  Mild petechial hemorrhages on the endocardial surface were present along with some generalized reddening on various other internal organs.  An anticoagulant screen was requested, with all being negative.  Histopathology revealed non-suppurative encephalitis, also known as Pug Dog Encephalitis.

Sugarless candy containing xylitol has been recognized by the National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC) to be a risk to pets (first published July 2004). This compound can cause liver damage and death in some dogs. This information is recent and some veterinarians may not be familiar with xylitol poisoning. You can contact the NAPCC by telephone, 1-888-426-4435 for more information.  (Taken from Moore’s Haven, The Bad Food For Dogs List)

AVIAN

A mass from the shoulder of a Parrot is submitted for Histological examination to the lab.  This mass is composed of a solid sheet

of multinucleated giant cells.  There are scattered necrotic foci within the mass.  Special stains reveal huge numbers of intracellular acid-fast positive bacteria.  It is decided by owner and veterinarian to euthanize this Parrot and submit the mass to NVSL to determine if the mass is M. tuberculosis.  Results were negative for M. tuberculosis.  Diagnosis: Mycobacterial mass non-speciated.

SMALL RUMINANTS

An adult non-gravid goat with no clinical history available is presented to the diagnostic lab.  Gross exam reveals pale mucous membranes and the blood is moderately thin and watery.  The goat is in adequate body condition at time of presentation.  The thoracic cavity, pericardial sac and abdominal cavity contain small amounts of serosanguinous fluid.  Numerous thread like nematodes are present in the abomasum.  Gross diagnosis:  Haemonchosis with mild anemia, and hypoproteinemia.

A young pygmy goat presented by US mail from a herd with a history of losing 18 kids since the spring of the year.  The goat had a history of diarrhea at four days of age but had recovered.  Beginning in September the kid was losing weight, had anorexia, and was lethargic.  It was moderately thin but in good postmortem condition.  Histopathology revealed large numbers of coccidia present in epithelial cells in the intestine.  Diagnosis:  Intestinal Coccidiosis.

EXOTIC

Two pet rats with no clinical history available are dropped off at the C.E. Kord Diagnostic Lab.  Necropsy revealed gas filled intestines and stomachs, along with diffuse consolidation of the cranioventral  lung lobes.  Bacterial cultures reveal several pathogenic organisms.   Diagnosis:  Pneumonia due to Pasturella and mycoplasma, and an  E. coli enteritis.