From:
Pam Sessoms
Date: 2003-09-28 00:43:21 UTC
Subject: necropsy report - ADV?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <Pine.A41.4.44+UNC.0309272034070.63424-100000@login9.isis.unc.edu>
The necropsy report below was sent to me by a friend. and is sent here by
their specific request Long story short - the signs found were consistent
with ADV. However, there is no leftover blood, and to the best of my
knowledge, no blood was sent for a specific ADV test. Question: Does
this report sound pretty definitively like ADV? Are there other
conditions besides ADV that could also cause these signs? Thanks for any
input.
-Pam S. (full report below)
HISTORY:
According to the history provided, a 2.5 year old male ferret was
presented to the referring veterinarian with black tarry feces, difficulty
in breathing, and limp back legs. The ferret was recumbant with hyperemic
conjunctiva, and a increased respiratory effort. The hindlimbs were
paralyzed with intact withdrawal responses. The forelimbs were
hyperextended. PCV was 38%, TP was 6.8, BUN was 95.2, ALB was 1.42, and
Glu was 101. The ferret was euthanized.
NECROPSY:
The animal presented for necropsy was a 2.5 year old male ferret in good
body condition and the tissues were minimally autolyzed. Subcutaneous
edema was found along the back. Hemorrhages were found in the
subcutaneous tissues along the chest and abdomen. Blood surrounded the
spinal cord and extended to the brain stem. Hemorrhage was found with the
thymus. Approximately 10 ml of clear fluid was in the thorax. Strands of
fibrin were attached to the pleura of the lungs. The lungs were atelectic
and did not float in formalin. The surface of the liver was granular but
the edges were sharp. The spleen was meaty and approximately 10 times
enlarged. The kidneys were pale. Petechial hemorrhages were found along
the serosal surfaces of the stomach and intestines. No other gross
lesions were identified.
HISTOPATHOLOGY Findings:
Sections of ferret brain, heart, liver, lung, spleen, kidney, pancreas,
small intestine and colon were examined. Periarteriolar plasma cells with
a few lymphocytes were the prominent feature in blood vessels of the
lung.The plasma cells formed loose cuffs around the blood vessels of the
lung parenchyma. Multifocal leukocytoclastic vasculitis was present in
the small intestine and pancreas. The affected vessels contained necrotic
smooth muscle tissue, and the tunica media contained cellular debris and
neutrophils in varying stages of degeneration. Renal disease was marked
and identified as membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Intact
glomerulicontained lymphocytes and plasma cells in small numbers.
Synechia, glomerular sclerosis and obliteration were present as well.
Within the intact glomeruli, there were thickened areas of the capillary
basement membranes. The fibrous connective tissue of the cortical
interstitum was diffusely proliferative, blending with the glomerular
capsules in most areas. Tubular dilation was from brightly eosinophilic
proteinaceous urine that was located primarily in the renal medulla.
Periportal lymphocytes and plasma cells in small numbers were seen in the
liver sections. Abundant extramedullary hematopiesis was identified in
sections of the spleen. Cells of the hematopoietic lineage were suspended
within the red pulp of the spleen.
Morphological Diagnosis: 1. Kidney; glomerulonephritis,
membranoproliferative, severe, diffuse, chronic, with proteinuria, tubular
ectasia and leukocytoclastic vasculitis. 2. Small intestine, pancreas;
vasculitis, necrotizing, severe, multifocal, subacute. 3. Lung;
periarteriolar plasma cells.
BACTERIOLOGY:
Aerobic Culture
Test No. 1 Large Gut No growth in 48 hours
Test No. 2 Small gut No growth in 48 hours
Test No. 3 Liver No growth in 48 hours
Test No. 4 Lung No growth in 48 hours
Special Cultures
Large gut Salmonella No Salmonella spp. isolated.
Small gut Salmonella No Salmonella spp. isolated.
VIROLOGY:
Distemper(FATST) Negative for Distemper Virus by Fluorescent Antibody
Tissue Section.
FINAL DIAGNOSIS
1. Histological changes are consistent with Aleutian disease.
End of ferrethealth Digest
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