Phaeochromocytoma in two coatimundi (Nasua nasua).

Two unrelated coatimundi (Nasua nasua) had bilaterally enlarged adrenal glands at necropsy, and sections of the glands from both animals had histopathological features consistent with neoplasia. They were differentiated from an adrenal cortical tumour on the basis of their light microscopical morphology, immunoperoxidase staining and electron microscopic studies and a final diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma was made. To the authors' knowledge, these are the first reported cases of phaeochromocytoma in coatimundi.

Papillary ductal adenocarcinoma in the mammary glands of two horses.

Mammary gland neoplasms in horses are uncommon and may initially be confused with mastitis. Masses from the mammary glands of two horses with chronic discharges were examined by cytology and histopathology. Both masses were diagnosed as papillary ductal adenocarcinomas with extensive intraductal and intralobular involvement and only focal infiltration of the adjacent stroma. Complementary immunohistochemical studies were made of both fresh and formalin-fixed tumour tissue, and attempts were made to assess the steroid receptor status of fresh tissue biochemically to assess the possibility of hormonal treatment as an adjunct to surgery. The results of these tests for oestrogen and progesterone receptors were negative.

Malignant mast cell neoplasia with local metastasis in a horse.

A 12-year-old Arab stallion was presented with a chronically swollen right carpus resulting in profound lameness of the same leg. An incisional biopsy of subcutaneous tissue from the right carpus submitted for cytology and histopathology revealed large numbers of eosinophils interspersed by substantial numbers of variably sized and granulated mast cells. Fungal culture of a subcutaneous tissue sample taken from the right carpus was negative. Serial full blood counts revealed persistent mature eosinophilia, not accompanied by a mastocytaemia, neutrophilia without left shift and persistent hyperfibrinogenaemia. After humane destruction, dissection of the affected limb revealed a thick layer of connective tissue deposited around the right carpal joint. Within the connective tissue were embedded many small 0.25-1 cm diameter yellow gritty nodules, which consisted of dystrophic calcification and necrotic cell debris. The tendons enveloped by the connective tissue mass had limited function. The right axillary lymph node was moderately enlarged, yellow-brown and moist. Histopathological examination revealed a moderately well differentiated mast cell neoplasm with evidence of metastasis to the regional lymph node. In horses, malignant mast cell neoplasia is rare, while metastasis has only been reported in one other horse. Eosinophilia associated with equine mast cell neoplasia has not been reported previously but is recorded in mast cell neoplasia in the dog.

Multiple congenital cardiac anomalies and idiopathic thoracic aortitis in a horse.

An echocardiographical and clinical pathological investigation of the rapid loss of weight by a yearling thoroughbred filly revealed an atrial septal defect, a ventricular septal defect and hyperfibrinogenaemia. A post mortem examination confirmed the cardiac abnormalities and revealed a severe thoracic aortitis. It is proposed that the idiopathic thoracic aortitis contributed to the horse's compromised cardiovascular homoeostasis.

Bryophyllum pinnatum poisoning of cattle.

Two adult cattle died within 48 h of being fed a large amount of Bryophyllum pinnatum plants collected from a house garden. Clinical signs became apparent the day after feeding and included hypersalivation, ataxia, severe cardiac arrhythmia and laboured respiration. The main necropsy findings were acute rumenitis, reduction of bronchiolar lumens and emphysema.

Management of equine sarcoids: 1975-93.

Treatment options for equine sarcoids are briefly reviewed and the results of a retrospective study of 63 cases of equine sarcoid (66 lesions) treated by clinicians from the Rural Veterinary Centre, Camden, Australia from 1975 to 1993 presented. Five different treatments were employed in the management of these 66 lesions, including surgical excision alone or in combination with cryotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and tumour transfer to a subcutaneous site on the neck. The majority of cases were treated with surgical excision alone (18/66), excision followed by cryotherapy (31/66) and immunotherapy (16/66), with success rates of 28%, 42% and 81% respectively. Success was defined as no sign of recurrence of the lesion at the time of follow-up, at least 6 months later.