From:
FERRETNT@aol.com
Date: 2002-02-26 20:25:00 UTC
Subject: RE: ECE -- Part Two of Pathologist Report
Head and Neck: The thryoind glands are symmetrical and appear to be within
normal limits. No significant lesions are found within the trachea,
esophagus or oropharyngeal regions. Macroscopic evaluation of the brain
reveals no sigificant findings.
Macroscopic morphologic diagnoses:
Intestines: Enteritis.
Mesenteric lymphadenomegaly.
Liver: Degeneration, mild.
Macroscopic comments:
After macroscopic evaluation of tissues, the most significant changes were
found in the intestinal tract. The changes noted are nonspecific, but maked
segmental reddening is consisten with enteritis.
Ancillary diagnostic testing:
Fresh tissues have been saved frozen for potential ancillary diagnostic
studies.
Microscopic diagnoses:
Slide 1:
1. Lungs: There is moderate widespread acute congestion and edema.
2. Urinary bladder: There are no significant microscopic lesions.
3. Intestines: There is a moderate increase in small mature lymphocytes and
plasma cells throughout the lamina propria. Moderate edema and vascular
congestion are present.
4. Thymus: There are no significant microscopic lesions.
5. Heart: There are no significant microscopic lesions.
Slide 2:
1. Spleen: There are no significant microscopic lesions.
2. Small intestine: Lesions are similar to those described above.
3. Kidneys There is mild widespread acute congestion.
4. Stomach: There are no significant microscopic lesions.
5. Colon: There is a mild to moderate increase in small mature lumphocytes
and plasma cells throughout the lamina propria. Moderate edema and vascular
congestion are present.
Slide 3:
1. Brain, multiple sites: There are no significant microscopic lesions.
2. Cecum: There is a mild to moderate increase in small mature lymphocytes
and plasma cells throught the lamina propria. Mild cystic glandular
dilatation and accumulation of luminal mucinous material is observed.
Diagnosis:
1. Intestinal tract: Enterocolitis, lymphoplasmacytic type, moderate,
widespread, subacute
2. Lungs: Congestion/edema, moderate, acute
3. All other tissue: Essentially normal tissue.
Comments
After microscopic and macroscopic evaluation of tissues, the most significant
changes were limited to the gastrointestinal tract. The reactive and
inflammatory changes found throughout the intestines are nonspecific, but are
felt to be characteristic of ferret episodic catarrhal enteritis. This
disorder is one of relatively
high morbidity but low mortality, and often can affect multiple animals in a
household.
It is presumably caused by a coronavirus and can be spread through fecal
material.
No evidence of other intercurrent disease processes or specific predisposing
factors were found in the tissues evaluated.
(Sorry I took two parts to send this report, but it is long and I felt that
the report should be sent in its entirety. Thanks for your patience. Nancy
and the Ferretkids)