Avian clinical pathology.

Much of the information previously available concerning avian clinical pathology was drawn from data from domestic avian species, in particular, poultry. Clinical pathology of nondomestic avian species such as psittacines, however, has come a long way toward establishing normal reference values for caged birds. As a result, it is important for the avian clinician to learn which clinical tests can be used to detect and evaluate a single disease or disease processes by learning what information is gained from hematologic, biochemical, or cytologic samples acquired during a patient's clinical examination.     

Renal pathology in reptiles.

The class of Reptilia varies widely. Both the gross morphology and microscopic anatomy of the kidneys are specific for each species.In each species of reptile, the physiology of the renal system has adapted to the specific conditions of life, including, among other factors, the type of food, environmental temperature, and the availability of water. The pathology of the kidneys in reptiles has been poorly studied, but in recent years a number of investigators have specifically studied reptilian renal pathology.     

The pathology of E. ovis

Abstract

Extract

Sir, — In your September issue, Sutton (3) Sulton, R. H. 1978. N.Z. vet. J., 26: 224–230.  [Google Scholar] suggests that the anaemia of E. ovis infection is due to intravascular haemolysis. The pathology he describes is almost identical to that described by Dacie(l) Dacie, J. V. 1963. The Haemolylic Anaemias, 2nd ed., 382–382. London: Churchill.  [Google Scholar] in autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in man; sheep recently exposed to active E. ovis infection are usually positive to the Coombs test(2) Sheriff, D. 1967. Nature, 215: 101–101.  [Google Scholar] and show spherocytosis; in my experience, haemoglobinuria is rarely, if ever, seen in E. ovis infection but is common in intravascular haemolytic conditions in sheep; and, finally, what appears to be haemoglobinaemia in sheep infected with E. ovis may be due to the rupture of abnormally fragile red cells during, or after, collection of the blood. On this evidence, it seems likely that incomplete antibodies are involved in the red cell destruction that characterises E. ovis infection, and that the process takes place extravascularly, by phagocytosis.     

CD1--the pathology perspective.

CD1 molecules are a family of cell surface-associated glycoproteins now recognized as having a role in antigen presentation. These glycoproteins are distinct from yet have some similarities to classical major histocompatibility complex class I and class II molecules. The role of these molecules has been studied in detail over recent years, with an explosion of interest following the demonstration that they can present nonprotein antigens to certain subpopulations of T cells. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of current knowledge of the function of the CD1 family with specific emphasis on the potential role in the pathogenesis of certain diseases. Although much of the current research in this field has inevitably concentrated on mice and humans, this work also has potential significance for veterinary species.     

Avian clinical pathology. General considerations

Summary

General aspects of avian clinical pathology are reviewed. It is concluded that in a clinical setting a volume of blood equivalent to 1 per cent of body weight can be collected safely from avian species for laboratory examinations. The anticoagulant of choice for most laboratory investigations is lithium heparin. In most bird species the right jugular vein is the preferred site for routine blood sampling. The use of a vacuum system greatly facilitates the procedure. The importance of immediately processing blood samples is explained. The many variables that may influence haematological or biochemical parameters are discussed and the reasons for determining blood chemical reference values by non‐parametric methods are emphasised.     

Clinical pathology in veterinary geriatrics.

Alterations in an individual analyte rarely provide an indication of the initiating circumstances that caused the abnormality. It is obvious from the previous discussion that multiple organs or organ systems can cause abnormal results in the same analyte. This fact underscores the importance of evaluating a biochemical profile in an integrated fashion, relating abnormalities of a particular analyte with the rest of the profile as well as with the signalment, history, and physical findings in the patient. Furthermore, assessment of abnormalities should be approached with some degree of skepticism because they may not be indicative of an actual disease.     

Ferrets. Clinical pathology and sample collection.

Diagnostic sampling and interpretation in the ferret are similar to other small mammals in many ways. There are several aspects of clinical pathology and diagnostic procedures, however, that are unique to the ferret. This article is designed to assist the clinician in obtaining and interpreting diagnostic samples for the ferret. Methods for blood and urine collection, bone marrow and organ aspirations, and organ biopsy techniques are discussed.     

The pathology of heartwater. III. A review

The pathological changes in cattle, sheep, goats, mice and various game species infected with Cowdria ruminantium are summarized. Macroscopical lesions in most animals include effusion of body cavities, oedema of the lungs and lymph nodes and splenomegaly. Apart from the presence of heartwater organisms in most organs the histopathological lesions are not striking. The ultrastructural lesions in the lungs of sheep and goats infected with the Ba11 3 strain of heartwater, and mice infected with the Welgevonden strain, are discussed. Damage to capillary endothelial cells of the alveoli is limited and the mild cytopathic changes in parasitized cells indicate that the damage caused by the organisms is most probably not responsible for the increased vascular permeability associated with the disease. Pathological changes in domestic ruminants and game animals are briefly compared.     

Comparative pathology of glomerulonephritis in animals.

Glomerulonephritis constitutes an important category of renal diseases in animals and has been recognized with increasing frequency in the last decade. We report here the comparative morphologic aspects of glomerulonephritis as a naturally occurring disease of animals. We briefly review the immunopathogenesis of glomerulonephritis. The morphology of renal lesions occurring in glomerulonephritis in dogs, cats, cattle, sheep, horses and swine has been reviewed with emphasis on the range and specificity of various glomerular lesions and on the comparison of lesions between various species. A distinction was made between glomerulonephritis as a primary disease entity and glomerulonephritis associated with other disease processes. Primary idiopathic glomerulonephritis occurred in all species but was most commonly recognized as a clinically important disease in dogs and cats. Glomerulonephritis also occurred in association with other diseases such as equine infectious anemia, chronic hog cholera, canine pyometra, dirofilariasis, feline leukemia virus infection and canine systemic lupus erythematosus.     

Equine laryngeal hemiplegia. Part IV. Muscle pathology

This study confirmed that neurogenic muscle pathology exists in intrinsic laryngeal muscles supplied by the recurrent laryngeal nerves in horses subclinically and clinically affected with laryngeal hemiplegia. An important additional observation was the occurrence in three out of four laryngeal hemiplegic horses of neurogenic muscle changes in a hindlimb muscle, the extensor digitorum longus, a muscle supplied by another long peripheral nerve. This finding suggests that a polynenropathy exists in laryngeal hemiplegic horses, and supports the classification of this disease as a distal axonopathy. Comparison of the degree of pathology in the intrinsic laryngeal muscles and that of the recurrent laryngeal nerves innervating them, demonstrated a strong correlation between the extent of damage in the distal left recurrent laryngeal nerve and the overall degree of muscle pathology. The muscle damage in clinically affected horses is a reflection of the nerve damage present in the most distal portion of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The more variable pathological changes found in proximal levels of the left and right recurrent laryngeal nerves probably reflects the ongoing nature of the pathological process affecting nerve fibres. The existence of a subclinically affected group of horses, the earliest involvement of an adductor, the left cricoarytenoideus lateralis muscle, and the presence of changes in the right intrinsic laryngeal muscles all confirmed the findings of previous workers.     

The pathology of canine hip dysplasia.

Although the complete pathogenesis of cartilage damage in canine hip dysplasia has not been completely worked out, it appears that joint laxity with resultant excessive stresses upon articular cartilage is the initiating factor. Grossly, this damage is characterized by cartilage thinning with potential exposure of subchondral bone, osteophyte formation, and pannus formation. Microscopically, there is a marked variation in chondrocyte cellularity, with focal regions of hypocellularity and chondrocyte clusters and synovial lining cell hyperplasia and hypertrophy as well as a decrease in proteoglycan content. This latter change has been substantiated biomechanically. Ultrastructural studies indicate that there is extensive alteration of collagen organization within the cartilage.     

Guidelines for resident training in veterinary clinical pathology. III: cytopathology and surgical pathology

The Education Committee of the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology has identified a need for improved structure and guidance of training residents in clinical pathology. This article is the third in a series of articles that address this need. The goals of this article are to describe learning objectives and competencies in knowledge, abilities, and skills in cytopathology and surgical pathology (CSP); provide options and ideas for training activities; and identify resources in veterinary CSP for faculty, training program coordinators, and residents. Guidelines were developed in consultation with Education Committee members and peer experts and with evaluation of the literature. The primary objectives of training in CSP are: (1) to develop a thorough, extensive, and relevant knowledge base of biomedical and clinical sciences applicable to the practice of CSP in domestic animals, laboratory animals, and other nondomestic animal species; (2) to be able to reason, think critically, investigate, use scientific evidence, and communicate effectively when making diagnoses and consulting and to improve and advance the practice of pathology; and (3) to acquire selected technical skills used in CSP and pathology laboratory management. These guidelines define expected competencies that will help ensure proficiency, leadership, and the advancement of knowledge in veterinary CSP and will provide a useful framework for didactic and clinical activities in resident‐training programs.     

Sample collection and clinical pathology of reptiles.

Clinical pathology techniques can guide the clinician to diagnose and treat the reptile patient successfully. Text, tables, pictures, and diagrams in this article describe blood and cytology collection techniques and interpretation for the common pet reptile species.