From:
Ann Hehl
Date: 2003-12-14 18:25:40 UTC
Subject: Question
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <14306161.1071426635771.JavaMail.nobody@magnesium.smartgroups.com>
Hi,
I need input from the list, particularly the vets here
if possible. A little history, I have a 1 yr old male
ferret who has a history of surgery in the spring for
inflammation of the intestines. I will post the path
report below. Since about Sept he has been coughing,
raspy, asthmatic sounding coughing. At first I thought
he was getting food stuck in his throat. Xray was done
about Sept which didn't show anything. This has
continued with various things tried thinking allergy
etc. Since heart was also considered, an ultrasound
was done last week and the doctor's interpretations
are also below. Does anyone here think the current
problem is related to his past history? Any ideas what
else it could be? Any help would be appreciated.
thanks
Ann
CLINICAL INFORMATION from surgery in spring
There are thickened mesenteries.
MICROSCOPIC
Submitted are multiple sections from the mesentery.
The adipose tissue of the mesenteries is supporting
nodular proliferations of histiocytic and lymphocytic
cells. These are arranged in coalescing nodules of
the centrally located histiocytic cells surrounded by
rims of numerous lymphocytes and rare aggregates of
neutrophils. These lesions are effacing the normal
architecture of the underlying adipose tissue.
DIAGNOSIS
MESENTERIES: MULTIFOCAL NODULAR PYOGRANULOMATOUS
STEATITIS
COMMENT
These multiple nodular lesions of the mesenteries are
most consistent with an inflammatory disease process.
No specific microorganisms are recognized in these
sections; however, a bacterial, possibly fungal
although less likely, infection should be considered.
No specific microorganisms are identified. An
acid-fast stain may be helpful in identifying
acid-fast bacteria. Please contact the service if
this is of interest.
ADDENDUM 5/13/3
Replicate tissue samples were stained for acid fast
bacteria. No microorganisms are recognized. A
negative result can not be used as evidence that these
organisms are definitively not present, although it is
not as likely.
Ultrasound
Now he's choking and regurgitating and sometimes raspy
- no megaesophagus, and the most recent ultrasound was
of heart (normal) and belly - the radiologist
sees:hypoechoic, dysmetric mesenteric lymph nodes at
the root with what appears to be a thickened 2.7 mm
segment of adjacent bowel. Spleen is large, and rest
of abd. ok.