From:
williamsdvm@comcast.net
Date: 2003-12-15 01:30:25 UTC
Subject: RE: Question
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <5446056.1071451825920.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Dear Ann:
Looking at the path report, and knowing that he has had previous abdominal surgery, I would surmise that the inflamed segements of mesentery are the result of the previous surgery, and not a particular disease process in itself. Even the best surgey leaves residual inflammation, as we cut through various tissue and handle the rest. The mesenteric fat, when released by such manipulation, does incite a pretty good inflammatory response, which can be identified months (up to a couple of years) after surgery.
The enlargement of the spleen and mesenteric nodes is probably related to chronic inflammation in this region as well.
With kindest regards,
bruce Williams, dVM
Author wrote:
> 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.