Endocardial fibrosarcoma in a reticulated python (Python reticularis).

A female, reticulated python (Python reticularis) of unknown age was presented with a history of lethargy, weakness, and distended coelom. Physical examination revealed severe dystocia and stomatitis. The reticulated python was euthanized due to a poor clinical prognosis. Postmortem examination revealed marked distention of the reproductive tract with 26 eggs (10-12 cm in diameter), pericardial effusion, and a slightly firm, pale tan mass (3-4 cm in diameter) adhered to the endocardium at the base of aorta. Based on histopathologic and transmission electron microscopic findings, the diagnosis of endocardial fibrosarcoma was made.

Quadrigeminal arachnoid cysts in a kitten and a dog.

Two quadrigeminal arachnoid cysts with different pathogenesis are described in 2 different species. A 10-week-old male Persian kitten with a progressively decreasing level of consciousness died spontaneously. At necropsy, mild internal hydrocephalus, caudal cerebellar coning, and cerebellar herniation through the foramen magnum were associated with a congenital quadrigeminal arachnoid cyst compressing the rostral cerebellum and shifting the entire cerebellum caudally. In contrast, a possibly acquired quadrigeminal cyst was observed in a 2-year-old male neutered Yorkshire Terrier in association with necrotizing encephalitis. Quadrigeminal arachnoid cysts have been rarely reported in dogs and humans.

Pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma in the hind leg of a Taiwanese macaque (Macaca cyclopis).

An adult, captive Taiwanese monkey (Macaca cyclopis) presented clinically with a large, rapidly growing mass located in the crus of the left hind leg. The overlying skin was severely ulcerated and necrotic. Radiographs suggested an invasive neoplasm in soft tissue with no bone involvement. The animal's clinical condition progressively worsened over the next 3 months until it died. Necropsy revealed that the mass infiltrated the surrounding skeletal muscle with no evidence of distant metastasis. Microscopically, the mass was highly cellular and composed of round to spindle cells with frequent rhabdoid cells characterized by abundant eosinophilic glassy cytoplasmic inclusions and large, bizarre nuclei. Phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin staining failed to reveal distinct cross-striations within the neoplastic cells. Neoplastic cells were strongly positive for smooth muscle actin and vimentin but were negative for sarcomeric actin, myoglobin, desmin, cytokeratin, S100, and lysozyme. The gross, microscopic, and immunohistochemical findings supported the diagnosis of pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma.

Disseminated mycobacteriosis in a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus).

A mature bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was diagnosed with mycobacterial infection after being presented for an inability to fly, emaciation, and a swelling of the left tibiotarsal-tarso metatarsal joint. Results of a complete blood cell count revealed a persistent, marked leukocytosis, with heterophilia, monocytosis, and anemia. Radiographs revealed lysis of the left distal tibiotarsus and soft-tissue swelling around the left tibiotarsal-tarsometatarsal joint, multiple pulmonary opacities, and an enlarged liver. Endoscopic evaluation and biopsy of caseated material within the left caudal coelom revealed acid-fast organisms. The eagle was euthanatized, and results of necropsy and histologic evaluation revealed caseated granulomas of the intestine, lungs, air sacs, and subcutaneous regions of the hock. Results of culture, a polymerase chain reaction testing, and direct deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing for mycobacterial 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid DNA determined this organism most likely to be Mycobacterium avium.

Disseminated transmissible venereal tumor in a dog.

Transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) is a well-documented transplantable tumor in dogs, with no breed or sex predilection and a low metastatic rate. In this report, a 2-year-old intact female Mastiff that had numerous, rapidly growing masses throughout the subcutis mainly at the dorsal body plane, the caudal half of the ventral abdomen, and around the vulva was euthanized due to poor prognosis. Neoplastic nodules similar to those seen in the subcutis were also noted in the lung, anterior mediastinum, liver, spleen, kidney, and superficial and deep lymph nodes in both abdominal and thoracic cavities. The neoplastic nodules from the subcutis as well as metastatic foci revealed similar cytologic and histologic features, which were consistent with canine TVT. By immunohistochemical staining, the neoplastic cells were positive for lysozyme and vimentin but were negative for cytokeratin, desmin, CD3, and CD79a. The diagnosis of the TVT was further supported by the identification and analysis of long interspersed nuclear elements (LINE) from paraffin-embedded tumor tissue. This case is a rare example of TVT with multiorgan metastasis. In this case, the polymerase chain reaction technique was useful in differential diagnosis of canine round cell tumors because this technique can be applied in retrospective as well as future study.

An outbreak of adenoviral infection in inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) coinfected with dependovirus and coccidial protozoa (Isospora sp.).

Thirty of 200 (15%) hatchling inland bearded dragons were found dead after a short period (48 hours) of weakness and lethargy. The most common clinical signs were head tilt and circling. Six bearded dragons with neurological signs were euthanized, and postmortem examination revealed no gross abnormalities. Microscopically, severe, randomly distributed hepatocellular necrosis with large basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in numerous hepatocytes was noted. Small-intestinal enterocytes contained intracytoplasmic coccidial protozoa (Isospora sp.) and occasional enterocytes had basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies. Transmission electron microscopy revealed both 80- and 20-nm-diameter viral particles, which were consistent with adenoviruses and dependoviruses, respectively. Adenoviral outbreaks in groups of animals are uncommon. An adverse synergistic effect of the coccidiosis with the adenoviral infection may have played a critical role in the high morbidity and mortality in this case.

Determination of functional and morphologic changes in palmar digital nerves after nonfocused extracorporeal shock wave treatment in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine functional and morphologic changes in palmar digital nerves after nonfocused extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) treatment in horses. ANIMALS: 6 horses. PROCEDURES: The medial and lateral palmar digital nerves of the left forelimb were treated with nonfocused ESWs. The medial palmar digital nerve of the right forelimb served as a nontreated control nerve. At 3, 7, and 35 days after treatment, respectively, 2 horses each were anesthetized and nerves were surgically exposed. Sensory nerve conduction velocities (SNCVs) of treated and control nerves were recorded, after which palmar digital neurectomies were performed. Morphologic changes in nerves were assessed via transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Significantly lower SNCV in treated medial and lateral nerves, compared with control nerves, was found 3 and 7 days after treatment. A significantly lower SNCV was detected in treated medial but not lateral nerves 35 days after treatment. Transmission electron microscopy of treated nerves revealed disruption of the myelin sheath with no evidence of damage to Schwann cell bodies or axons, 3, 7, and 35 days after treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Nonfocused ESW treatment of the metacarpophalangeal area resulted in lower SNCV in palmar digital nerves. This effect likely contributes to the post-treatment analgesia observed in horses and may result in altered peripheral pain perception. Horses with preexisting lesions may be at greater risk of sustaining catastrophic injuries when exercised after treatment.

Disseminated sclerosing peritoneal mesothelioma in a dog.

A 7-year-old female German Shepherd Dog was presented with multiple petechiae and ecchymoses along the ventral abdomen, flank, and on the vaginal mucosa. The clinical diagnosis was severe hemoperitoneum and presumed disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Postmortem examination revealed a 22 cm × 15 cm × 6 cm, firm, and convoluted peritoneal mass along with hemoperitoneum, and multifocal, ill-defined, 0.5-1.5 cm in diameter, white to tan nodules in the pulmonary parenchyma. Histologically, the peritoneal mass was composed of large anaplastic cells consistent with malignant mesothelioma interspersed in abundant fibrous connective tissue. Metastasis of the neoplastic cells occurred to the brain, adrenal glands, lymph nodes, and lungs. On immunohistochemical evaluation, neoplastic cells coexpressed cytokeratin and vimentin, and were negative for cluster of differentiation (CD)18. Electron microscopy revealed numerous surface microvilli around the entire circumference of the neoplastic cells, as well as tight junctions, and desmosome-like structures. Based on test findings, a disseminated sclerosing peritoneal mesothelioma was diagnosed.

Late onset of cerebellar abiotrophy in a boxer dog.

Cerebellar abiotrophy is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system and has been reported in humans and animals. This case report documents clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings of cerebellar abiotrophy in an adult Boxer dog. A 3.5-year-old, female, tan Boxer dog presented with a six-week history of left-sided head tilt. Neurological examination and additional diagnostics during her three subsequent visits over 4.5 months revealed worsening of neurological signs including marked head pressing, severe proprioceptive deficits in all the four limbs, loss of menace response and palpebral reflex in the left eye, and a gradual seizure lasting one hour at her last visit. Based on the immunohistochemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein and histopathological examination of cerebellum, cerebellar cortical abiotrophy was diagnosed. This is the first reported case of cerebellar abiotrophy in a Boxer dog to our knowledge.

Canine bronchoesophageal fistulas: case report and literature review.

A bronchoesophageal fistula (BEF) is defined as a communication between the esophagus and one or more bronchi. BEFs are commonly associated with esophageal diverticula, which are circumscribed outpouchings of the esophageal wall. This article presents the report of a case seen at Louisiana State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Clinics in 2006 and reviews the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of esophageal diverticula and BEFs. The BEF in the case presented was of a very rare form, involving only the accessory lung lobe bronchus.