Infective polyarthritis and multiple discospondylitis in a dog due to Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae

A seven-month-old Irish wolfhound suffered an infectious polyarthritis and multiple discospondylitis. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was cultured from several of the joints at post mortem examination.     

Infectious epiphysitis and valvular endocarditis in a red deer (Cervus elaphus)

A 10-month-old male red deer (Cervus elaphus) was presented with severe lameness and enlargement of the fetlock areas of both front and one hind legs. Radiographs demonstrated an epiphysitis and osteomyelitis of the distal metacarpal and metatarsal bones. Post mortem revealed pus containing Corynebacterium pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus in the lesions, and an accompanying valvular endocarditis of the right atrioventricular valve.     

Influence of ante‐ and peri‐mortem factors on biochemical and physical characteristics of turkey breast muscle

Summary

The course of post‐mortem breakdown of glycogen and ATP in turkey pectoralis major muscle was markedly influenced by several ante‐ and peri‐mortem variables. Application of a proper stunning procedure was highly effective in preventing peri‐ and post‐mortem muscle stress reactions.

The physiological level of glycogen and ATP was not significantly affected by road transportation covering 260 km. Birds which rested for 24 hrs following transportation had lower glycogen and ATP levels at the moment of slaughter than non‐rested birds.

According to the changes in the rate and extent of post‐mortem biochemical reactions, several meat characteristics such as water‐holding capacity, colour, and tenderness were significantly changed.

Furthermore, the results also indicate that turkey breast muscle is susceptible to a PSE‐like condition as described in pork.     

Angiostrongylus vasorum in the anterior chamber of a dog's eye

An unusual case of Angiostrongylus vasorum infestation occurred in a three-year-old female cavalier King Charles spaniel. The dog presented with signs consistent with right otitis interna, followed by the appearance of a free-swimming nematode in the anterior chamber of the right eye. The dog died of acute heart failure before surgical removal of the parasite was possible. Post mortem examination confirmed the presence of large numbers of worms in the pulmonary artery and right ventricle. These worms were identified histologically as A vasorum.     

Diagnosis and treatment of congestive heart failure secondary to dilated cardiomyopathy in a hedgehog

A one‐year‐old African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was evaluated for severe respiratory distress. Physical examination findings included marked dyspnoea, cyanosis and tachypnoea. Radiographic findings included an enlarged heart and pulmonary oedema, and dilated cardiomyopathy was confirmed via echocardiogram. The patient was treated for congestive heart failure because of dilated cardiomyopathy with furosemide, enalapril, pimobendan and l‐carnitine. Within 24 hours of treatment, the pulmonary oedema and cyanosis had resolved. Following discharge, clinical improvement was noted by the owner and echocardiogram confirmed improved fractional shortening. Cardiomyopathy has been reported at post‐mortem examination in hedgehogs, but there are no reports of ante‐mortem diagnosis and treatment. Performing baseline cardiac assessment in hedgehogs is recommended, and treatment with l‐carnitine and pimobendan may improve outcome, as carnitine deficiency is a possible cause of cardiomyopathy in hedgehogs. Successful emergency treatment of congestive heart failure in the hedgehog of this report may be effective for other hedgehogs presented with similar clinical signs .     

Aplastic anemia in a clydesdale foal: A case report

A nine-week-old Clydesdale foal was presented with severe anemia, panleucopenia and thrombocytopenia. Bone marrow biopsy revealed marrow fat and bone spicules but was almost acellular, indicating the existence of aplastic anemia. Histological examination of marrow obtained at post mortem examination revealed only occasional nests of mononuclear cells. Marked biliary hyperplasia was present in the liver. The etiology was uncertain but a toxic insult resulting in aplastic anemia and hepatic disease may have occurred in utero or in the neonatal period. This appears to be the first report of aplastic anemia in a foal.     

Differences in calpain system,desmin degradation and water holding capacity between commercial Meishan and Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred pork

The objective of this study was to examine the differences in calpain system, desmin degradation, pH values and water holding capacity (WHC) between muscles of commercial Meishan and Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred pigs. Meishan pork presented better WHC evidenced by lower purge loss at days 1 and 3 and less centrifugation loss at day 1 post mortem (P < 0.05). pH values at 45 min post mortem in Meishan pork were significantly higher compared to crossbred pork (P < 0.05). Calpain‐1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was lower in Meishan pork compared to that from crossbred pork (P < 0.05). Additionally, calpain‐1 activity, the ratio of calpain‐1 to calpastatin activity and desmin degradation were lower in Meishan pork compared to those from crossbred pork samples (P < 0.05). The results indicate that the calpain system including mRNA expression and activity were different between commercial Meishan and crossbred pork resulting in difference in the degree of desmin degradation during post mortem aging. pH values at 45 min and 24 h post mortem rather than calpain activity and desmin degradation could explain the higher water holding capacity in commercial Meishan pork.     

Clostridium fallax infection in poultry

Summary A disease causing high mortality in young chickens following listlessness, inappetence and diarrhoea is described from Malawi. Haemorrhagic enteritis, splenic enlargement and congestion with petechial haemorrhages, and subcutaneous oedema were seen at post mortem.Clostridium fallax was isolated from affected birds. Coccidiosis was a possible predisposing factor.     

Changes of microbial spoilage,lipid‐protein oxidation and physicochemical properties during post mortem refrigerated storage of goat meat

Examined was the effect of post mortem refrigerated storage on microbial spoilage, lipid‐protein oxidation and physicochemical traits of goat meat. Seven Boer bucks were slaughtered, eviscerated and aged for 24 h. The Longissimus lumborum (LL) and Semitendinosus (ST) muscles were excised and subjected to 13 days post mortem refrigerated storage. The pH, lipid and protein oxidation, tenderness, color and drip loss were determined in LL while microbiological analysis was performed on ST. Bacterial counts generally increased with increasing aging time and the limit for fresh meat was reached at day 14 post mortem. Significant differences were observed in malondialdehyde (MDA) content at day 7 of storage. The thiol concentration significantly reduced as aging time increased. The band intensities of myosin heavy chain (MHC) and troponin‐T significantly decreased as storage progressed, while actin remained relatively stable. After 14 days of aging, tenderness showed significant improvement while muscle pH and drip loss reduced with increase in storage time. Samples aged for 14 days had higher lightness (P < 0.05) and lower (P < 0.05) yellowness and redness. Post mortem refrigerated storage influenced oxidative and microbial stability and physico‐chemical properties of goat meat.     

Paraparesis as initial manifestation of a Prototheca zopfii infection in a dog

A case of protothecosis causing non‐ambulatory paraparesis in a dog without clinical evidence of disseminated infection is described. A five‐year‐old female Labrador retriever was referred with a 10‐day history of progressive non‐ambulatory paraparesis and lumbar pain as the only physical and neurological abnormalities. Lumbar myelography revealed severe extradural spinal cord compression extending from L4 to L7 vertebrae, and a right hemilaminectomy was performed. Surgical findings included an adherent whitish hard ill‐defined mass. Cytology and biopsy results disclosed the presence of algae enclosed in a matrix of chronic inflammatory infiltrate. Culture confirmed the presence of Prototheca species. Neurological improvement occurred within a month, and the dog received antifungal treatment without evidence of clinical disseminated disease for 6 months, but died after a generalised tonic–clonic seizure. Post‐mortem examination revealed multiple foci of inflammatory granulomatous infiltrate and algae‐like structures in the brain, lumbar intumescence and cauda equina. Prototheca zopfii was identified using molecular biology methods.     

Concurrent atypical myoglobinuria and colon displacement in a filly

An 18‐month‐old pony filly was examined for acute colic and abdominal distension. The signs of colic failed to resolve following analgesic treatment. At exploratory laparotomy, a right dorsal displacement of the large colon was identified and corrected. On recovery from anaesthesia, the pony developed signs of widespread myopathy, confirmed by serum biochemistry evaluations. Myopathy consistent with atypical myoglobinuria was confirmed post mortem.     

Hepatic lipidosis in pregnant cows on a dairy farm

Summary

A syndrome very similar to hepatic lipidosis is described in dairy cows during the dry period.

After being sent to pasture the animals did not eat well for undetermined reasons. The disease phenomena were mainly observed in animals carrying twins. At post mortem examination severe falty infiltration was found in the 3 animals made available for post mortem examination. Increase of the energy supply to the dry cows by addition of maize silage to the ration prevented new cases.     

Retracted: Mycobacterium bovis BCG Danish Strain 1331 isolated from a periarticular lesion in a domestic cat

A 7-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair outdoor cat was referred for chronic left forelimb lameness, which had been treated with intra-articular injections of triamcinolone acetonide. A soft tissue swelling around the elbow joint, extending from the distal humerus to the proximal ulna, was surgically explored and biopsy samples obtained. Mycobacterium bovis was cultured from samples from the soft tissue and bone. The mycobacteria from the media were killed and the DNA extracted and tested on a multiplex real-time PCR for the absence of specific genes and the presence of mycobacterial genus markers. The PCR revealed bacillus Calmette-Guérin Danish Strain 1331; this was also isolated from the prescapular lymph node, muscle and bone, obtained at post mortem examination. Badgers had been vaccinated with the bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine SSI (Statens Serum Institute) in the area where the cat lived, in the spring and autumn of the previous year. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of infection with M. bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin Danish Strain 1331 in a domestic cat, potentially associated with annual vaccination of badgers in the proximity of the cat's home.     

Primary haemangiosarcoma in the proximal humerus of a Clydesdale gelding

An 11‐year‐old Clydesdale gelding was presented for investigation of left forelimb lameness of 2 weeks' duration. The use of scintigraphic imaging helped to localise the source of lameness to the left proximal humerus. In this report, the clinical and diagnostic imaging features of a primary osseous haemangiosarcoma in a horse are described, along with the challenges of establishing a definitive diagnosis ante mortem. In addition, neoplasia of the appendicular skeleton should be considered a differential cause of lameness in the horse.     

Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis infection in a donkey

Mycobacterial infections are rare in equines. Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) is an important zoonotic bacterial pathogen causing disease in a wide range of animal species and sporadically causes severe disseminated disease in horses. This report describes the clinical, gross post‐mortem examination and histopathological findings in a case of disseminated M. bovis infection in a donkey which to the authors’ knowledge has not been previously documented in the scientific literature.     

Infection of Two Goatherds with Mycoplasma mycoides Subsp. capri in Hungary,Evidence of a Possible Faecal Excretion

During epidemic outbreaks in two goatherds clinical symptoms and deaths occurred in five (14%) of the 3‐week‐old goat kids in farm A, and in six (33%) of those in farm B. In the latter farm, three female goats aborted before the clinical symptoms in the kids emerged. Mycoplasma could be isolated from both healthy and sick goat kids and from female goats, which had diseased kids or had aborted. Three goat kids (one from herd A and two from herd B) were sent for post‐mortem examination. In all these cases septicaemia caused by Mycoplasma was diagnosed. Based on the bacteriological examination the Mycoplasma strains proved to be Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri (Mmc). This was confirmed by the PCR examination. Mmc was isolated from several locations includingfrom the rectum of one healthy female goat, and from two diseased kids. In addition, bacteria were detected in the small intestine in two of the necropsied kids by bacteriological and/or immunohistochemical methods. The finding suggests that Mmc may be transmitted via faeces in goatherds, kept under conventional conditions.     

A de novo mutation in KRT5 in a crossbred calf with epidermolysis bullosa simplex

A 6-day-old Belgian Blue-Holstein calf was referred because of a syndrome resembling epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS). The clinical phenotype included irregular and differently sized erosions and ulcerations spread over the body, in particular on the limbs and over bone prominences, as well as in the nasal planum and oral mucosa. Blisters were easily induced by rubbing the skin. The skin lesions displayed a clear dermal-epidermal separation at the level of the basal cell layer. Post mortem examination revealed erosions in the pharynx, proximal esophagus, and rumen. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a heterozygous disruptive in-frame deletion variant in KRT5 (c.534_536delCAA). Genotyping of both parents confirmed the variant as de novo mutation. Clinicopathological and genetic findings were consistent with the diagnosis of KRT5-related EBS providing the second example of a spontaneous mutation causing epidermolysis bullosa in cattle.     

IMPORTANCE OF ACUTE DEATH SYNDROME IN MORTALITIES IN BROILER CHICKEN FLOCKS

SUMMARY A survey of the weekly causes of mortality was carried out in a flock of 64,000 broiler chickens in Western Australia. Some 6.86% of the flock died or was culled in the period from day-old to slaughter and were examined post mortem. The most important cause of death, acute death syndrome (ADS) (36%), occurred during all weeks of production and 74% of affected birds were male. A comparison of liver biotin content made between 120 ADS-affected birds and 60 clinically normal flockmates established that the biotin status of ADS-affected birds was adequate.     

Fatal Prevotella oralis meningitis

Prevotella oralis, an obligate Gram‐negative anaerobe, was detected as the cause of acute meningitis in a four‐year‐old cocker spaniel. Clinical signs included acute onset collapse and severe depression. Despite treatment, the animal died. A post‐mortem examination was performed which revealed a fibrinosuppurative meningitis with no significant inflammation of the brain or spinal parenchyma. The aetiological diagnosis was confirmed by anaerobic bacterial culture. This report discusses the nature and extent of the lesions and possible routes of infection of the causative organism.