Bruce H. Williams

Multiple Congenital Malformation in a Holstein Calf

A 10-day-old male Holstein dairy calf with orthopaedic abnormalities was unable to stand but was alert with a suckle reflex. At necropsy, the calf showed multiple defects, including partial agenesis of the left rib plate, deformed left scapula, shortened left humerus, agenesis of the left kidney, atresia ani and scoliosis. The cause of these anomalies could not be determined. This report is the first to describe partial agenesis of ribs in a calf.

Therapeutics in ferrets.

The domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) continues to grow in popularity as a pet species in North America as well as many countries around the world. With this rapid growth comes an increased potential for small and exotic animal practitioners to expand their ferret clientele. This article reviews the commonly used therapeutics in ferrets, as well as the general principles and guidelines for their use.

Non-Infectious Diseases

Publisher Summary This chapter covers the noninfectious conditions that have been described in guinea pigs, including nutritional, metabolic, congenital, and neoplastic diseases. In todays clean laboratory environment, the lab animal practitioner or pathologist is far more likely to encounter the conditions described, which stress upon the continued importance of these “classic” entities in this species. The primary neoplasms of each organ system are included at the end of each respective section. The chapter discusses the cardiovascular system, which includes Rhabdomyomatosis. It is characterized by well-defined areas of cardiac muscle in which myocytes are swollen by excessive cytoplasmic glycogen, which gives them a characteristic pale appearance. In accordance with the respiratory system, bronchiolar-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) is a common finding in domestic and laboratory animals of all species. In the guinea pig, nodular aggregates of lymphocytes are a common finding in association with the smaller branches of both pulmonary arteries and veins. Osseous metaplasia of the lung is a common finding in guinea pigs and other lab animal species including rats and hamsters. Gastric ulcers are relatively common in guinea pigs and this species is often used as test subjects for new antiulcer medications. Guinea pigs, like other rodents, develop a syndrome of progressive renal insufficiency with advancing age. The lethal white syndrome in the guinea pig consists of various combinations of microphthalmia, anopthalmia, partial or complete blindness, partial or complete deafness, missing or deformed incisors and cheek teeth with elongated roots, intestinal malabsorption, and decreased immune responses. Lethal white guinea pigs have a decreased lifespan, often dying during weaning as a result of infectious diseases.

Multiple urogenital abnormalities in a Persian cat

A 1.5-year-old female Persian cat was presented for inappetence and azotemia. Ultrasonography and urography revealed multiple abnormalities involving the genitourinary tract, including agenesis of the right kidney and ureter. Gross examination of the abnormal uterus revealed segmental aplasia of right caudal uterine horn causing cranial distension with fluid, a normal left uterine horn, and both normal ovaries. Microscopically, endometrial glands of the right uterine horn were markedly decreased in number. The right uterine horn was hemorrhagic suggesting estrus. This is the first report of this combination of urinary and uterus abnormalities in the veterinary literature.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Metastasis to the Spleen in a Holstein Cow

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with metastasis to the spleen in a Holstein cow was studied by histopathologic and immunohistochemical methods. The tumor was characterized by a pseudoglandular (acinar) pattern with an associated fibrous stroma. Individual cells often had a “hepatoid” appearance but were interspersed with scattered cells exhibiting a clear, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive cytoplasm and small eccentric nuclei. This pattern was present in nodules found in both liver and spleen. Moreover, hepatoid tumor cells were positive for alpha-fetoprotein. Immunohistochemical studies suggest that myofibroblasts were responsible for the production of fibrous septa surrounding the pseudoglandular structures of bovine HCC. In summary, our histologic and immunohistochemical findings support a diagnosis of primary HCC with splenic metastasis. Furthermore, the associated stromal response appears to be of a myofibroblast origin. The primary etiology of bovine HCC and the significance of the intralesional, PAS-positive clear cells remain undetermined.