ADVANCED DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING AND PATHOLOGIC FINDINGS OF THYROID LESIONS IN TWO SHORT-BEAKED ECHIDNAS (TACHYGLOSSUS ACULEATUS).

Two zoo-maintained short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) had long histories of intermittent anorexia and lethargy. Case 1 presented with a recurrence of these signs after transfer to another facility and died shortly after arrival. A focal area of hyperattenuation within the paratracheal tissue of the cranial mediastinum was noted antemortem on CT. Postmortem, this corresponded with severe thyroid follicular hyperplasia with lymphoplasmacytic thyroiditis. Additional findings included a systemic fungal infection without an inflammatory response, suggesting underlying factors such as torpor or immunosuppression. In Case 2, an intrathoracic mass was identified during a preshipment examination. CT confirmed a contrast-enhanced mass compressing the cranial vena cava and right atrium, and the animal was euthanized. The mass was diagnosed histologically as thyroid adenocarcinoma. These cases report thyroiditis and thyroid adenocarcinoma in echidna and describe the use of IV contrast and CT as a diagnostic aid in this species.

Retrospective Broiler Health Survey: Scope, Parameters, and Overall Trends.

A retrospective analysis encompassing 18 yr (1999-2016) of broiler chicken health surveys from broiler production complexes throughout the United States was conducted to identify trends and areas of opportunity. The analysis used necropsy data from 19,577 broiler chickens considered to be "healthy" or "clinically normal" by visual assessment. The very low incidence of dehydrated (0.01%) or undersized (0.02%) broilers is evidence that the objective of examining "healthy" birds was achieved. The results of the correlation analysis were what was expected for "healthy" broilers, with these birds having positive correlations with skin color and size of the bursa of Fabricius. The average age of broilers included in this analysis ranged from 26.2 days in 2008 to 33.7 days in 2013. The percentage of "normal" broilers (those without visible lesions or abnormalities) varied from 5.63% in 2012 to 28.33% in 1999. The results of this study identified four areas of opportunity for improving poultry health: 1) coccidiosis, 2) oral lesions and gizzard erosions, 3) retained yolks, and 4) pododermatitis.

Encuesta retrospectiva sobre la salud de los pollos de engorde: alcance, parámetros y tendencias generales. Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo que abarcó 18 años (1999-2016) de encuestas de salud de pollo de engorde de complejos de producción en los Estados Unidos para identificar tendencias y áreas de oportunidad. El análisis utilizó datos de necropsia de 19,577 pollos de engorde considerados "saludables" o "clínicamente normales" mediante evaluación visual. La incidencia muy baja de pollos de engorde deshidratados (0.01%) o de tamaño pequeño (0.02%) es evidencia de que se logró el objetivo de examinar aves "sanas". Los resultados del análisis de correlación fueron los esperados para pollos de engorde "sanos", ya que estas aves tuvieron correlaciones positivas con el color de la piel y el tamaño de la bolsa de Fabricio. La edad promedio de los pollos de engorde incluidos en este análisis osciló entre 26.2 días en 2008 y 33.7 días en 2013. El porcentaje de pollos de engorde "normales" (aquellos sin lesiones o anomalías visibles) varió del 5.63% en 2012 al 28.33% en 1999. Los resultados de este estudio identificaron cuatro áreas de oportunidad para mejorar la salud de las aves: 1) coccidiosis, 2) lesiones orales y erosiones de la molleja, 3) retención de saco vitelino y 4) pododermatitis.

In-nest mortality and pathology of hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) embryos and hatchlings in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Strategies to improve the hatch success and survival of critically endangered hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) require knowledge of threats to them including pathological conditions. The objective of this study was to describe the mortality and pathology of embryos and dead-in-nest hatchlings on St. Kitts and Nevis. Over the 2019/20 and 2020/21 nesting seasons, the combined mean (SD) hatch success for the two islands was 81.9% (13.2%) and deceased individuals within excavated nests were early-stage embryos (70.7%), late-stage embryos (17.7%), pipped-hatchlings (8.2%) or dead-in-nest hatchlings (3.4%). From 2017 to 2021, a post-mortem examination was performed on 183 turtles, including histology for 116. Anatomical malformations affected 77 (42.1%) examined turtles and included abnormal scute shape or number (22.4%), dysmelia (8.7%), schistosomus reflexus (7.7%) and compressed carapace (7.7%). Microscopic lesions were found in 49.1% of turtles and included tissue mineralization (26.7%, including renal, fetal membrane, liver, heart or muscle), chorioallantoitis (16.2%) and skeletal muscle degeneration and necrosis (10%). Inflammatory lesions associated with fungal or bacterial infections were in the skin (n = 3), chorioallantois (n = 4), lung (n = 3) or yolk sac (n = 1). These lesions may reflect non-specific terminal conditions but their presence in-nest helps explain some of the mortality and pathology documented in hatchlings that die during rehabilitative care. All of the gonads adequately represented for histological determination of sex were female (n = 62), supporting concern for feminization of Caribbean hawksbill turtle nests. The study identifies lesions that could affect hatch and emergence success. The high frequency of skeletal malformations indicates the need for investigations addressing regional impact and pathogenesis, especially genetic and environmental aetiologies including nest temperature. Immediate examination of live hatchlings on nest emergence is warranted to better determine the prevalence of non-fatal malformations that could impact fitness and population genetics.

Forensic investigations of suspected livestock depredation by vultures: scientific tools for compensation programmes.

Human-wildlife conflicts may have devastating consequences for fauna due to targeting by humans of wildlife populations suspected to have predated livestock. Suspicion of depredation of extensively raised livestock by vultures in Europe has triggered public administration-led forensic investigations intended to distinguish between predation and scavenging in order to compensate farmers for attacks on their livestock. In this study, gross and histological analyses were carried out on suspected cases of domestic animal depredation by griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) over a 1-year period. Fifty-eight animals were affected (n = 41, suspected depredation), including domestic cattle (75.9%), sheep (22.4%) and a goat (1.7%). All the adults affected were female and most cases of suspected depredation occurred during the peripartum period (56%). Histological investigations distinguished between post-mortem (84% of diagnostic samples) and ante-mortem (16% of diagnostic samples) cases, and gross examinations revealed significant differences (P ≤ 0.002) between ante-mortem, post-mortem and non-diagnostic samples. This study highlights the need to optimize sampling protocols to increase the success of forensic studies. The forensic investigations presented here may be applied to resolve human-wildlife conflicts involving not only vultures but other endangered carnivores and contribute to human-wildlife coexistence in rural areas by protecting the interests of both the livestock sector and endangered species.

Borna disease in an adult free-ranging Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber albicus).

Borna disease (BD) associated with a peracute bacterial septicaemia with Escherichia coli was diagnosed in an adult female, naturally infected, free-ranging Eurasian beaver of the subspecies Castor fiber albicus, clinically characterized by weight loss, depression, weakness and gurgled peristaltic sounds. The beaver was euthanized humanely. Necropsy and light microscopy revealed a non-purulent meningoencephalitis with typical mononuclear perivascular cuffs and parenchymal infiltrates. The diagnosis of BD was confirmed by detection of viral antigen and RNA by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The PCR product was sequenced and cluster analysis revealed a close relationship between endemic clusters in Saxony-Anhalt. This is the first report of naturally occurring BD in a free-ranging Eurasian beaver.

Exploring Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae NXNK2203 infection in sheep: insights from histopathology and whole genome sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovipneumoniae) is a significant pathogen causing respiratory infections in goats and sheep. This study focuses on investigating vulnerability of Hu sheep to M. ovipneumoniae infection in the context of late spring's cold weather conditions through detailed autopsy of a severely affected Hu sheep and whole genome sequencing of M. ovipneumoniae. RESULTS: The autopsy findings of the deceased sheep revealed severe pulmonary damage with concentrated tracheal and lung lesions. Histopathological analysis showed tissue degeneration, mucus accumulation, alveolar septum thickening, and cellular necrosis. Immunohistochemistry analysis indicated that M. ovipneumoniae was more in the bronchi compared to the trachea. Genome analysis of M. ovipneumoniae identified a 1,014,835 bp with 686 coding sequences, 3 rRNAs, 30 tRNAs, 6 CRISPRs, 11 genomic islands, 4 prophages, 73 virulence factors, and 20 secreted proteins. CONCLUSION: This study investigates the vulnerability of Hu sheep to M. ovipneumoniae infection during late spring's cold weather conditions. Autopsy findings showed severe pulmonary injury in affected sheep, and whole genome sequencing identified genetic elements associated with pathogenicity and virulence factors of M. ovipneumoniae.

Investigation of a Mass Stranding Event Reveals a Novel Pattern of Cascading Comorbidities in Northern Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis).

During 2018, a seabird mortality event occurred in central California, US, that affected Northern Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis), Common Murres (Uria aalge), and Cassin's Auklets (Ptychoramphus aleuticus). An increase in beachcast birds were reported on standardized surveys in conjunction with an increased number of live-stranded birds admitted to rehabilitation centers. Neurologic symptoms were noted during intake examination for some birds. Coincident with the mortality event, increased levels of the harmful algal bloom toxins domoic acid and saxitoxin were recorded in Monterey Bay and Morro Bay. Birds that died in care and beachcast carcasses were submitted to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife-Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center for postmortem examination (n=24). All examined birds were emaciated. Examined Common Murres and Cassin's Auklets had no gross evidence of preexisting disease; however, all examined Northern Fulmars exhibited severe pyogranulomatous inflammation of the urogenital system at gross postmortem exam. Tissues from nine Northern Fulmars were examined by histopathology, and samples from two Northern Fulmars were tested for the presence of domoic acid and saxitoxin. Histopathology revealed moderate to severe kidney infection by Eimeria sp. and gram-negative bacteria, intratubular urate stasis, ureter rupture, and emaciation. Additionally, domoic acid and saxitoxin were detected simultaneously in tissues of some tested birds. This communication highlights a novel pattern of cascading comorbidities in native seabirds from a mass stranding event.

PROSPECTIVE POSTMORTEM ASSESSMENT OF THE INCIDENCE OF MAMMARY NEOPLASIA IN CHIMPANZEES (PAN TROGLODYTES).

When evaluating the last 25 yr of morbidity and mortality from adult chimpanzees managed within the Association of Zoo and Aquarium Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan® for North American zoos, only two female chimpanzees were diagnosed with mammary neoplasia: one incidentally antemortem and one with a terminal metastatic neoplasia. When comparing this observation of prevalence of mammary neoplasia to humans, a substantial disparity is apparent. Mammary neoplasia is the second most common cancer in adult female humans, with a lifetime risk of 1:8 in the United States. The reason for the disparity between humans and chimpanzees, as closely related species, is unknown. The true prevalence in chimpanzees may be higher than currently noted, because routine examination of mammary tissue in chimpanzees is generally less complete than for other tissues postmortem, and antemortem assessment is generally limited to mammary palpation. This study was performed on intact, bilateral mammary glands harvested at postmortem examination of adult female chimpanzees (n = 7) from six institutions. With mammography, complete histopathologic sectioning, and genetic evaluation, the risk of mammary neoplasia was evaluated more thoroughly than during a typical postmortem exam in zoo populations during 2017-2019. No chimpanzees in the study were diagnosed with mammary neoplasia. Overall, this study supports the previous impression that chimpanzees do not develop mammary neoplasia at a similar rate as humans, even when comparable diagnostic modalities for evaluation are used.

Seromolecular surveillance of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus in Nigeria.

Following the first 2020 rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) outbreak in Nigeria which caused massive mortalities in several rabbitries, there was a need to know the spread and strains circulating in the affected states. Over 100 rabbitries still existing post-RHDV outbreak in Ogun and Kwara States were investigated. A commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to screen for RHDV immunoglobulin G in 192 rabbit sera, while RHDV VP60 gene was amplified in RNA extracted from these sera and tissues (liver and/or spleen harvested from 37 carcasses necrotized) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Sequences obtained from the amplicons were subjected to phylogenetic analysis. The results revealed a seroprevalence of 82.3% (158/192). RHDV VP60 gene was detected in 15/17 (88.2%) and 2/20 (10.0%) carcasses from Ogun and Kwara States, respectively, while none of the sera was positive. Sequences of the two positive amplicons selected (one from each states) shared 98.95% nucleotide identity and belonged to RHDV 2/GI.2 strain. Also, nBLAST of these sequences revealed 98.43-99.55% homology with the prototype Nigerian RHDV strain RHDV/NGR/ILN/001 (MT996357.1). Furthermore, these strains clustered with this prototype and a German RHDV strain (LR899166.1). Pathologic lesions affecting the respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, lymphatic, and digestive systems were observed in necropsied carcasses. This study indicated that RHDV 2/GI.2 strain was the cause of 2020 RHD outbreak in Nigeria. Thus, while continuous public sensitization about RHD especially among rabbit farmers in Nigeria is important, efforts aimed at design and implementation of RHD vaccination policy, preferably using indigenous seed, should be expedited.

Surveillance of wild animals carrying infectious agents based on high-throughput screening platform in the Republic of Korea.

BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases transmitted by wild animals are major threats to public health. This study aimed to investigate the potential of rescued wild animals that died of unknown causes as reservoirs of infectious agents. From 2018 to 2019, 121 dead wild animals (55 birds and 66 mammals) were included in this study. All wild animals died during treatment after anthropogenic events. After deaths of animals, necropsies were performed and trachea, lungs, large intestine (including stool), and spleen were collected to determine causes of deaths. A high-throughput screening (HTS) quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) designed to detect 19 pathogens simultaneously against 48 samples in duplicate was performed using nucleic acids extracted from pooled tissues and peripheral blood samples. If positive, singleplex real-time PCR was performed for individual organs or blood samples. RESULTS: The HTS qPCR showed positive results for Campylobacter jejuni (10/121, 8.3%), Campylobacter coli (1/121, 0.8%), Mycoplasma spp. (78/121, 64.5%), and Plasmodium spp. (7/121, 5.7%). Singleplex real-time PCR confirmed that C. jejuni was detected in the large intestine but not in the blood. C. coli was only detected in the large intestine. Mycoplasma spp. were detected in all organs, having the highest proportion in the large intestine and lowest in the blood. Plasmodium spp. was also detected in all organs, with proportions being were similar among organs. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that wild animals can become carriers of infectious agents without showing any clinical symptoms.

Biphasic pleural mesothelioma in a goat.

An 8-year-old Saanen goat doe was seen for inappetence, tachycardia, and intermittent bluish-grey discoloration of the oral mucous membranes. On physical examination, the goat was mildly tachypneic and tachycardic, with reduced sounds auscultated on the left side of the thorax. Euthanasia was elected. Necropsy revealed an infiltrative, multinodular mass within the left thoracic cavity and innumerable small, tan nodules disseminated across the pleura of the lungs, thoracic walls, and diaphragm. Upon histologic examination, the mass was composed of highly pleomorphic, fusiform to polygonal cells. Neoplastic cells exhibited positive immunoreactivity for both cytokeratin and vimentin, consistent with a diagnosis of biphasic pleural mesothelioma. Key clinical message: Mesothelioma has rarely been described in the goat but should be considered as a differential diagnosis for thoracic masses in small ruminants, along with thymoma; metastatic neoplasia; carcinomatosis; and granulomatous lesions caused by parasites, bacteria, and fungi.

Mésothéliome pleural biphasique chez une chèvre. Une chèvre Saanen âgée de 8 ans a été vue pour de l'inappétence, une tachycardie et une décoloration gris bleuâtre intermittente des muqueuses buccales. À l'examen physique, la chèvre était légèrement tachypnéique et tachycardique, avec des sons réduits auscultés du côté gauche du thorax. Il a été décidé d'euthanasier l'animal. L'autopsie a révélé une masse multinodulaire infiltrante dans la cavité thoracique gauche et d'innombrables petits nodules brun clair disséminés à travers la plèvre pulmonaire, les parois thoraciques et le diaphragme. À l'examen histologique, la masse était composée de cellules hautement pléomorphes, fusiformes à polygonales. Les cellules néoplasiques ont présenté une immunoréactivité positive pour la cytokératine et la vimentine, compatible avec un diagnostic de mésothéliome pleural biphasique.Message clinique clé:Le mésothéliome a rarement été décrit chez la chèvre mais doit être considéré comme un diagnostic différentiel des masses thoraciques chez les petits ruminants, avec le thymome, la néoplasie métastatique, la carcinomatose et les lésions granulomateuses causées par des parasites, des bactéries et des champignons.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Morphological variations of the lung: Accessory fissures and lobes.

Anatomical variability in the human body is not as rare as was previously hypothesised. Indeed, as recently reviewed, the term 'norm' in anatomy can be considered an approximation. Thus, anatomical variations occur quite often, as largely demonstrated during non-invasive diagnosis, surgical intervention, or post mortem investigations. In the present study, we describe different anatomical variations in both the right and left lungs derived from cadavers of different ethnicities. The analysed organs were collected during dissection, and accessory lobes and fissures were observed in both the right and left lungs. Moreover, a horizontal fissure was missing from the right lung, resulting in only two lobes. Since lung anatomical variability is common in clinical practice and preclinical imaging studies can miss different morphologies, a deep and accurate knowledge of the anatomical variations of the lung is of extreme importance to avoid difficulties or changes during the surgical procedure.

Hepatic arteriovenous malformation in a calf.

A case of hepatic arteriovenous malformation is described in a calf that presented with a marked increase in abdominal volume and died 12 h after birth. At necropsy, the calf had marked abdominal distension and haemoperitoneum. The left hepatic lobe was reduced in size and covered by slightly whitish and intensely vascularized membranous tissue. At the edge of the left lobe there were cystic structures filled with translucent fluid. On cut surface, there were multiple cavitations well delimited by whitish walls and multiple dilated blood vessels that communicated with the cavitations. Histopathology revealed an increase in the number of vascular structures of variable calibre within loose fibrous connective tissue. The diagnosis of hepatic arteriovenous malformation was based on the lesions and confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Hepatic arteriovenous malformations are rare in all species, have not been described in cattle and should be included as a cause of mortality in neonates with post-partum haemoperitoneum.

Systemic histiocytic disorder in a jaguar (Panthera onca).

A 7-year-old captive female jaguar (Panthera onca) was presented with a 7-day history of dyspnoea and weight loss. Clinical examination revealed hepatomegaly and elevated serum alanine aminotransferase activity. Pulmonary ultrasonography revealed comet-tail images and an alveolar pattern was detected on thoracic radiography. Due to the poor prognosis, the jaguar was euthanized after 10 days. At necropsy, the main gross findings were hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and multifocal to coalescent, slightly elevated grey areas in the lungs. Histological examination revealed neoplastic proliferation of pleomorphic histiocytes arranged in cohesive sheets in the lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys and lymph nodes. Neoplastic cells had intense immunolabelling for vimentin and ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1, and were immunonegative for pancytokeratin, E-cadherin, CD20, CD3 and CD79α. These findings were compatible with a systemic histiocytic disorder, distinct from any well-defined histiocytic proliferative disease in domestic animals.

Edwardsiella tarda Isolated from a Kidney Mass in a Common Loon (Gavia immer).

A Common Loon (Gavia immer) was found recumbent at Island Beach State Park, New Jersey, US, and euthanized. Necropsy revealed a caseous mass in the kidney, from which bacteria were isolated and phenotypically and molecularly identified as Edwardsiella tarda.

Diagnosis of rabies using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction on post-mortem skin tissue specimens of the nasolabial plate in a rabies suspected cow: a case study.

In India, rabies in cattle is under-reported. Religious sentiments hamper its diagnosis, discouraging post-mortem examination, particularly opening the cranium. Specimens of peripheral tissue innervated by the cranial nerves could potentially be used as alternative diagnostic specimens to the brain. Herein, we present a case study of a novel approach for diagnosing rabies in a cow suspected of having rabies, using skin tissue specimens of the nasolabial plate obtained post-mortem. Brain and nasolabial tissue specimens tested positive for rabies using conventional reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. This approach has been previously shown to have a high diagnostic sensitivity in animals. We encourage further studies with more nasolabial plate skin specimens for both post- and antemortem diagnosis of rabies in cattle.

Veterinary radiologic error rate as determined by necropsy.

A large-scale postmortem auditing of antemortem imaging diagnoses has yet to be accomplished in veterinary medicine. For this retrospective, observational, single-center, diagnostic accuracy study, necropsy reports for patients of The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center were collected over a 1-year period. Each necropsy diagnosis was determined to be either correctly diagnosed or discrepant with its corresponding antemortem diagnostic imaging, and discrepancies were categorized. The radiologic error rate was calculated to include only clinically significant missed diagnoses (lesion was not reported but was retrospectively visible on the image) and misinterpretations (lesion was noted but was incorrectly diagnosed). Nonerror discrepancies, such as temporal indeterminacy, microscopic limitations, sensitivity limitations, and study-type limitations were not included in the error rate. A total of 1099 necropsy diagnoses had corresponding antemortem imaging; 440 diagnoses were classified as major diagnoses, of which 176 were discrepant, for a major discrepancy rate of 40%, similar to reports in people. Seventeen major discrepancies were diagnoses that were missed or misinterpreted by the radiologist, for a calculated radiologic error rate of 4.6%, comparable with error rates of 3%-5% reported in people. From 2020 to 2021, nearly half of all clinically significant abnormalities noted at necropsy went undetected by antemortem imaging, though most discrepancies owed to factors other than radiologic error. Identifying common patterns of misdiagnosis and discrepancy will help radiologists refine their analysis of imaging studies to potentially reduce interpretive error.

Cholangiopancreatography in cats: a post-mortem comparison of MRI with fluoroscopy, corrosion casting and histopathology.

In human medicine, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a valuable diagnostic tool for hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases. In veterinary medicine, however, data evaluating the diagnostic value of MRCP are limited. The primary objectives of this prospective, observational, analytical investigation were to assess whether MRCP reliably visualizes the biliary tract and pancreatic ducts in cats without and with related disorders, and whether MRCP images and measurements of the ducts agree with those of fluoroscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (FRCP), corrosion casting and histopathology. A secondary objective was to provide MRCP reference diameters for bile ducts, GB, and pancreatic ducts. Donated bodies of 12 euthanized adult cats underwent MRCP, FRCP, and autopsy with corrosion casting of the biliary tract and pancreatic ducts using vinyl polysiloxane. Diameters of the biliary ducts, gallbladder (GB), and pancreatic ducts were measured using MRCP, FRCP, corrosion casts and histopathologic slides. There was an agreement between MRCP and FRCP in measuring diameters of the GB body, GB neck, cystic duct, and common bile duct (CBD) at papilla. Strong positive correlations existed between MRCP and corrosion casting for measuring GB body and neck, cystic duct, and CBD at the extrahepatic ducts' junction. In contrast to the reference methods, post-mortem MRCP did not visualize right and left extrahepatic ducts, and pancreatic ducts in most cats. Based on this study, MRCP with 1.5 Tesla can be regarded as a contributory method to improve the assessment of feline biliary tract and pancreatic ducts when their diameter is >1 mm.

A retrospective study of congenital cardiac malformations in 29 goats.

Cardiac malformations are sporadically diagnosed in domestic species; however, little literature is available for this group of developmental anomalies in goats. We performed a retrospective study to catalog congenital cardiac conditions in goats submitted to the University of California-Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Anatomic Pathology Autopsy Service. From 2000 to 2021, of 1,886 goat autopsies, 29 cases of cardiac malformations were identified (1.5%). Thirteen were ≤ 2-wk-old, 8 were 1-6-mo-old, and 8 were adults 2-9-y-old. The most common malformations were ventricular septal defect (VSD; 21 of 29), atrial septal defect or persistent foramen ovale (10 of 29), and double-outlet right ventricle (3 of 29). Nine cases had > 1 malformation, typically including a VSD. Conditions that had not been reported in the goat included double-outlet right ventricle (3), tetralogy of Fallot (1), cor triatriatum sinister (1), and mitral valve dysplasia (1). Two adult cases were incidental and not suspected clinically. Cardiac malformations occur not uncommonly in goats and should be considered in a wide age range.

Postmortem examination of equids >1-year-old with enterotyphlocolitis in Ontario: a retrospective descriptive study.

Equine enterotyphlocolitis is an inflammatory process of the intestinal tract of horses that is associated with multiple etiologic agents and risk factors. Most clinical cases do not have an etiologic diagnosis. We describe here the pathogens detected and the histologic lesions found in horses with enterotyphlocolitis in Ontario that were submitted for postmortem examination, 2007-2019. We reviewed the medical records of 208 horses that fulfilled inclusion criteria. Cultures were positive in 67 of 208 (32%) equids for Clostridium perfringens, in 16 of 208 (8%) for Clostridioides difficile, and in 14 of 208 (7%) for Salmonella spp.; 6 of 208 (3%) were positive for Neorickettsia risticii by PCR assay. One horse was positive in a Rhodococcus equi PCR assay. All horses tested by PCR assay for equine coronavirus and Lawsonia intracellularis were negative. The histologic lesions were characterized as follows: 6 of 208 (3%) enteritis, 5 of 208 (2%) typhlitis, 104 of 208 (50%) colitis, 37 of 208 (18%) enterocolitis, 45 of 208 (22%) typhlocolitis, and 11 of 208 (5%) enterotyphlocolitis. We strongly recommend standardized testing of diarrheic horses during and/or after postmortem examination, as well as standardized reporting of histologic lesions in enterotyphlocolitis cases.