Welden Panziera

Secondary Biliary Hepatic Fibrosis Caused by Cholelithiasis in Two Horses

ABSTRACT Cholelithiasis is a rare condition in horses that may cause biliary obstruction and consequent hepatic fibrosis. Two horses with a history of icterus were presented for clinical examination. Horse #1, an 18‐year‐old crossbred gelding, presented inappetence, head pressing, and abnormal gait in both pelvic limbs. Horse #2, a 14‐year‐old crossbred stallion presented severe cachexia. At necropsy, the liver was firm with prominence of the lobular pattern and a reticular whitish aspect. The common hepatic duct of horse #1 and horse #2 contained, respectively, a 6 cm diameter and numerous 2.5–5 cm diameter choledocholiths. Bile ducts proximal to these were distended with numerous choleliths. Microscopically, diffuse bridging portal fibrosis, feathery degeneration of hepatocytes and bile microgranulomas were observed, besides Alzheimer type II astrocytes in the telencephalic cortex. Secondary biliary hepatic fibrosis may cause hepatic encephalopathy and icterus in horses. Histologically, bridging portal fibrosis, feathery degeneration of hepatocytes and bile microgranulomas are characteristic of this condition. HIGHLIGHTSCholelithiasis is a rare condition in horses that can cause hepatic fibrosis.Two horses with a history of icterus were presented; and at necropsy, the liver was firm.The common hepatic duct contained a 6 cm and multiple 2.5–5 cm diameter choledocholiths.Microscopically, bridging fibrosis, feathery degeneration, and bile microgranulomas were observed.Secondary biliary hepatic fibrosis may cause hepatic encephalopathy.

Timpanismo em bovinos, secundário à obstrução esofágica por Citrus limon (limão siciliano)

Ruminal bloat (acute timpany) in ruminants is a marked rumen-reticular distension which results from more gas being produced during the physiologic process of fermentation than is eliminated by eructation. This condition may present itself as either primary timpany due to the formation of stable foam or secondary timpany resulting from functional and/or physical disturbances compromising eructation. This paper describes the epidemiological, clinical, and anatomopathological aspects of acute timpany in cattle secondary to esophageal obstruction by sicilian lemons. Five out of a herd of 210 cattle were affected. Cattle were supplemented with tangerine (Citrus reticulata) residues in a trough. In the last batch of this feed there were whole sicilian lemons mixed with the tangerine residue. The five affected cattle were 12-24 month-old Aberdeen-Angus. All of the five presented clinical signs characterized mainly by cyanotic mucous membranes, severe timpany, abdominal discomfort, marked dyspnea and tachycardia, ruminal atony, dehydration, recumbence and death. Clinical course lasted from 24 to 48 hours. Necropsy findings in the five affected cattle were similar and included complete esophageal obstruction by lemons in the cranial esophagus (immediately cranial to the larynx [1/5]) medial esophagus (at the thoracic inlet [1/5]) and caudal esophagus (close to the cardia [3/5]). At the occluded sites the esophageal mucosa was necrotic and ulcerated. Ruminal content was dried and admixed with whole lemons. In the esophagus o two affected bovine a bloat line was observed. Histological lesions were observed mainly in the esophagus at the sites of obstruction and consisted of marked degenerative, necrotic and ulcerative changes in the esophageal mucosal epithelium.

Intoxicação natural por Baccharis megapotamica var.weirii em caprinos

Poisoning by the toxic species of Baccharis is an important cause of death in farm animals. Baccharis coridifolia and Baccharis megapotamica are the most common and most important of this genus. Epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of a natural outbreak of intoxication by Baccharis megapotamica var. weiriiare described in goats. Eleven young goats from a herd of 152 goats were affected by an acute fatal disease. The cases occurred in a small farm in the municipality of Viamao, State of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Large patches of blooming Baccharis megapotamica var. weirii were observed in the pastures where the goats were held, especially in wet and flooded spots. Affected goats were between six months to one year old and all showed signs including apathy, anorexia, weakness, diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal pain, bloat, decubitus and death. The clinical course was 12-24 hours. Three out of the eleven goats dead from the toxicosis were necropsied. Changes present in all necropsied goats included dehydration, liquid contents in the rumen, reddening, erosions and ulcers in the mucosae of the forestomachs, abomasum, and intestine. One goat had marked hemorrhage of mesenteric lymph nodes. Histological lesions of all animals included hyperemia as well as degenerative, necrotic, and ulcerative changes in the epithelial lining of rumen, reticulum, and omasum. Mucosae of the abomasum and of some sections of small and large intestines were also affected. Necrosis of lymphoid tissue was observed in mesenteric lymph nodes and in the lymphoid aggregates in intestine and in the follicles of spleen.