Hepatoencephalopathy associated with situs inversus of abdominal organs and vascular anomalies in a dog.

Throughout its life, a 1-year-old Doberman Pinscher dog had had gastrointestinal disorders and episodes of circling. It was less active than its littermates, and it usually seemed lethargic. When 3 months old, the pup had been anesthetized for ear cropping and it had remained anesthetized for 32 hours. Behavioral problems were apparent when the dog was 11 months old. Two weeks later the behavioral problems accentuated to the point that the dog developed "temper tantrums" and became aggressive toward its owner. On the basis of clinicopathologic and contrast radiographic findings, hepatoencephalopathy due to persistent patent ductus venosus was diagnosed and the dog was euthanatized. Situs inversus abdominalis and multiple vascular anomalies were found at necropsy. Gross and microscopic studies of the viscera were correlated with corrosion casts of the vasculature. In addition to changes in organ position, 3 spleens and malformation of the pancreas were observed. Vascular anomalies were: (1) The portal vein was contiguous with the common hepatic vein by way of a patent ductus venosus; branches of the portal vein were not given off to the liver; (2) the caudal vena cava was continued by the azygos vein, and a cranial segment of the caudal vena cava was absent; (3) the hepatic artery was larger than normal; (4) the left gastric artery arose anomalously from the cranial mesenteric artery; and (5) histologic and radiographic study of the liver did not reveal any interlobular branches of the portal vein; however, hypoplastic branches of the gastroduodenal vein did enter the liver and were demonstrated on a corrosion cast.     

Primary ciliary dyskinesia with situs inversus totalis, hydrocephalus internus and cardiac malformations in a dog

A nine-month-old golden retriever bitch was presented with exercise intolerance and recurrent nasal discharge. Based on clinical, radiographic and ultrasonographic examination, a diagnosis of rhinitis, situs inversus totalis and tricuspid valve insufficiency was established. The results of video- and electron microscopy studies of the respiratory epithelium were compatible with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). However, no evidence of a primary ultrastructural defect of the cilia was found. The dog was euthanased because of the poor prognosis. At necropsy, a hydrocephalus internus and a subaortic stenosis were additionally diagnosed. PCD, in combination with situs inversus, has been previously reported in golden retrievers, but without a concomitant hydrocephalus internus. Furthermore, concomitant occurrence of internal cardiac malformation and PCD has not previously been reported in the dog.     

Abdominal mesothelioma in a goat

CASE HISTORY: An 8-year-old female Toggenburg goat was presented with a history of reduced appetite, ruminal tympany, and abdominal enlargement of 2 weeks' duration. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The abdomen was markedly distended and contained a large amount of fluid, demonstrated using ultrasonography, along with echogenic masses on the ventral ruminal and reticular walls. The findings were confirmed at exploratory laparotomy, where together with excessive peritoneal fluid, numerous nodules were found blanketing the peritoneum. PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS AND DIAGNOSIS: Numerous partially coalescing, white-grey nodules up to 3 cm in diameter covered the peritoneum. A biphasic mesothelioma consisting of epithelial and mesenchymal components was demonstrated by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Primary tumours of the peritoneum are rare and occur in many animal species. They must be differentiated from chronic granulomatous peritonitis caused by bacteria (e.g. tuberculosis or 'pearl disease'), parasites and metastatic tumours.     

Abdominal mesothelioma in a goat

CASE HISTORY: An 8-year-old female Toggenburg goat was presented with a history of reduced appetite, ruminal tympany, and abdominal enlargement of 2 weeks' duration.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: The abdomen was markedly distended and contained a large amount of fluid, demonstrated using ultrasonography, along with echogenic masses on the ventral ruminal and reticular walls. The findings were confirmed at exploratory laparotomy, where together with excessive peritoneal fluid, numerous nodules were found blanketing the peritoneum.

PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS AND DIAGNOSIS: Numerous partially coalescing, white-grey nodules up to 3 cm in diameter covered the peritoneum. A biphasic mesothelioma consisting of epithelial and mesenchymal components was demonstrated by histopathology and immunohistochemistry.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Primary tumours of the peritoneum are rare and occur in many animal species. They must be differentiated from chronic granulomatous peritonitis caused by bacteria (e.g. tuberculosis or ‘pearl disease’), parasites and metastatic tumours.     

Abdominal aortic chondrosarcoma in a dog

A 14-year-old, mixed breed dog was presented with acute pain and paresis of the hindlimbs. Ultrasonography revealed an intraluminal mass and an abrupt halt of blood flow signal in the distal abdominal aorta. The mass had homogeneous hyperechoic echotexture compared with blood flow. Although clinical presentation suggested a thromboembolism and pituitary dependent hyperadrenocorticism was suspected as a predisposing cause based on adrenal function tests and ultrasonography, an aortic chondrosarcoma originating from the distal abdominal aorta was diagnosed with histologic examination. Primary aortic sarcoma is extremely rare, and extraskeletal chondrosarcoma is only reported in 2 cases previously. Aortic neoplasm should be included in differential diagnosis when an intraluminal aortic mass is observed on ultrasonography and acute paresis of hindlimbs is shown.     

B-cell leukemia in a sheep

Necropsy examination was performed on an 8.5-year-old Finnish ewe euthanatized because of progressive respiratory distress, cachexia, and weakness. Significant postmortem findings included a diffusely enlarged, dark-red friable liver, mild splenomegaly, and mild mesenteric lymphadenopathy. Examination of multiple tissue sections revealed intravascular atypical mononuclear cells in all tissues examined, with a leukemic pattern of infiltration of mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, lung, and spleen. Neoplastic cells were positive for CD79a and negative for CD-3, BLA.36, and CD68 leukocytic markers. The final diagnosis was B-cell leukemia.