Case studies and technical aspects of the forensic necropsy of exhumed companion animals.

Veterinary forensics is becoming increasingly important in the acquisition of evidence in cases of animal cruelty, unlawful killing, violation of wildlife law and medical malpractice. However, although forensic veterinary necropsy is one of the main techniques for gathering information about actions that have resulted in the unlawful killing of an animal, forensic necropsy of exhumed remains is rarely performed. We hypothesized that necropsy of exhumed animals can provide valuable information for the elucidation of cause of death. Hence, the present study aimed to describe the pathological changes observed in the necropsies of eight exhumed companion animals and to determine the frequencies of causes of death and diagnoses. This retrospective and prospective study was performed during the period 2008-2019. The causes of death of six of the eight disinterred animals were attributed to neurogenic shock (37.5 %), respiratory failure (25 %) and hypovolemic shock (12.5 %), with 50 % of necropsies providing conclusive diagnoses of physical/mechanical lesions and 25 % of infectious disease. The deaths of two animals could not be elucidated because of the advanced state of putrefaction. Ancillary testing comprised computed tomography (50 %), radiography (25 %), immunohistochemistry together with polymerase chain reaction/sequencing (12.5 %) and toxicology (12.5 %). The results support our original hypothesis since it was possible to observe macroscopic alterations that disclosed new information about the events connected with the demise of 100 % of the animals and to achieve irrefutable conclusions about the circumstances of death in 75 % of the studied cases.

Canine intraventricular pneumocephalus: a case report / Pneumoencéfalo intraventricular em cão: relato de caso

Pneumocephalus is a well described disease; it is commonly diagnosed in humans, but the condition is rarely encountered in veterinary medicine. Computed tomography (CT) is the gold-standard diagnostic method for identifying this disease, and other methods (such as necropsy) are rarely described. In this report, we describe necropsy findings of a 10-month-old, mixed-breed dog with intraventricular pneumocephalus. The dog was referred to Laboratory of Animal Pathology of the Federal University of Uberlândia, Brazil, for necropsy after being diagnosed with pneumocephalus upon CT. In the examination, the brain had dilation of both lateral ventricles with empty spaces. Histopathology showed congestion and mineralization only near the lateral ventricles, leading to the diagnosis of pneumocephalus based on the macroscopic findings. The animal also showed sinusitis characterized by nasal discharge and neutrophilic infiltration of nasal sinuses. However, bacterial culture was not conclusive because of contamination of the sample. This is therefore an important report that shows necropsy findings of intraventricular pneumocephalus, which is a rare condition in dogs. By documenting the necropsy findings, we hope to help veterinary pathologists, including those with limited access to diagnostic imaging.

Pneumoencéfalo é uma condição bem descrita e comumente diagnosticada em humanos, mas raramente encontrada na medicina veterinária. A tomografia computadorizada (TC) é o método diagnóstico padrão-ouro para identificar tal alteração, e outros métodos (como a necropsia) raramente são descritos. Neste relato, são apresentados os achados de necropsia de um cão sem raça definida de 10 meses de idade com pneumoencéfalo intraventricular. O cão foi encaminhado ao Laboratório de Patologia Animal da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Brasil, para necropsia após ser diagnosticado com pneumoencéfalo na TC. No exame, o cérebro apresentava dilatação de ambos os ventrículos laterais com espaços vazios; à histopatologia, foram observadas congestão e mineralização próximas aos ventrículos laterais. Com isso foi estabelecido o diagnóstico de pneumoencéfalo, com base nos achados macroscópicos. O animal também apresentou sinusite caracterizada por secreção nasal e infiltração neutrofílica dos seios nasais. No entanto, a cultura bacteriana não foi conclusiva devido à contaminação da amostra. Este é, portanto, um importante relato que mostra achados de necropsia de pneumoencéfalo intraventricular, que é uma condição rara em cães. Ao documentar os achados da necropsia, esperamos ajudar os patologistas veterinários, incluindo aqueles com acesso limitado a técnicas de diagnóstico por imagem.

Intoxicação experimental por folhas de Crotalaria pallida (mucronata) em ovinos / Experimental poisoning by Crotalaria pallida (mucronata) in sheep

Descrevem-se o quadro clínico, patológico e o potencial tóxico das folhas verdes de Crotalaria pallida em ovinos. Para o experimento folhas verdes de C. pallida foram coletadas no município de São João do Sul em Santa Catarina e administradas por via oral para seis ovinos adultos, em doses únicas de 40, 20, 10, 5, 2,5 e 2,5g/kg, e para dois ovinos, em doses diárias de 0,63 e 1,25g/kg durante 30 dias. Reproduziu-se a intoxicação com doses letais a partir de 2,5g/kg. Um dos ovinos que recebeu a dose única de 2,5g/kg e os que receberam as doses diárias, não adoeceram. Todos os ovinos que apresentaram sinais clínicos morreram entre 13 e 22 horas após a administração das folhas. Sinais clínicos leves como fezes pastosas, inquietação e aumento das frequências cardíaca e respiratória tiveram início cerca em 11 horas após a ingestão da planta. Minutos antes da morte observaram-se dispneia intensa com respiração abdominal pronunciada. As principais lesões macroscópicas foram restritas à cavidade torácica, como hidrotórax e edema pulmonar acentuado. O exame microscópico revelou no pulmão, edema acentuado e difuso na superfície pleural, nos espaços interlobulares e ao redor das artérias peribronquiais e peribronquiolares. Edema multifocal foi observado no interior de alvéolos e ao redor de brônquios e bronquíolos, além de leve infiltrado neutrofílico multifocal. O quadro clínico-patológico da intoxicação experimental foi similar ao observado na intoxicação espontânea e caracterizou-se por edema iulmonar acentuado e morte logo após o início dos sinais clínicos.(AU)

This paper describes the toxic potential of the green leaves of Crotalaria pallida and the clinical signs in experimentally poisoned sheep. Green leaves of C. pallida were collected in São João do Sul, Santa Catarina, and administered orally to six adult sheep, as single dose of 40, 20, 10, 5, 2.5 and 2.5g/kg, and for two sheep at doses of 0.63 and 1.25g/kg during 30 days. The poisoning was reproduced at lethal doses of 2.5g/kg. One of the sheep that received a single dose of 2.5g/kg and another that received daily doses did become ill. All sheep wich developed clinical signs died between 13 and 22 hours after administration of the plant. Slight signs started in about 11 hours after ingestion of the plant, and clinical signs included loose stool, restlessness and increased heart and respiratory rates. A few minutes preceding death, pronounced abdominal breathing and severe dyspnea was observed. The main gross lesions were restricted to the thoracic cavity, as severe pulmonary edema and hydrothorax. Lung microscopy showed marked edema in the diffuse pleural surface, the interlobular spaces and around the peribronchial arteries. Multifocal edema was observed within alveoli and around the bronchi and bronchioles, and mild multifocal infiltration of neutrophils. The clinical and pathological alerations of the experimental poisoning was similar to that observed in the spontaneous poisoning, characterized by marked pulmonary edema and death shortly after the onset of clinical signs.(AU)

Intoxicação experimental por folhas de Crotalaria pallida (mucronata) em ovinos / Experimental poisoning by Crotalaria pallida (mucronata) in sheep

This paper describes the toxic potential of the green leaves of Crotalaria pallida and the clinical signs in experimentally poisoned sheep. Green leaves of C. pallida were collected in São João do Sul, Santa Catarina, and administered orally to six adult sheep, as single dose of 40, 20, 10, 5, 2.5 and 2.5g/kg, and for two sheep at doses of 0.63 and 1.25g/kg during 30 days. The poisoning was reproduced at lethal doses of 2.5g/kg. One of the sheep that received a single dose of 2.5g/kg and another that received daily doses did become ill. All sheep wich developed clinical signs died between 13 and 22 hours after administration of the plant. Slight signs started in about 11 hours after ingestion of the plant, and clinical signs included loose stool, restlessness and increased heart and respiratory rates. A few minutes preceding death, pronounced abdominal breathing and severe dyspnea was observed. The main gross lesions were restricted to the thoracic cavity, as severe pulmonary edema and hydrothorax. Lung microscopy showed marked edema in the diffuse pleural surface, the interlobular spaces and around the peribronchial arteries. Multifocal edema was observed within alveoli and around the bronchi and bronchioles, and mild multifocal infiltration of neutrophils. The clinical and pathological alerations of the experimental poisoning was similar to that observed in the spontaneous poisoning, characterized by marked pulmonary edema and death shortly after the onset of clinical signs.(AU)

Descrevem-se o quadro clínico, patológico e o potencial tóxico das folhas verdes de Crotalaria pallida em ovinos. Para o experimento folhas verdes de C. pallida foram coletadas no município de São João do Sul em Santa Catarina e administradas por via oral para seis ovinos adultos, em doses únicas de 40, 20, 10, 5, 2,5 e 2,5g/kg, e para dois ovinos, em doses diárias de 0,63 e 1,25g/kg durante 30 dias. Reproduziu-se a intoxicação com doses letais a partir de 2,5g/kg. Um dos ovinos que recebeu a dose única de 2,5g/kg e os que receberam as doses diárias, não adoeceram. Todos os ovinos que apresentaram sinais clínicos morreram entre 13 e 22 horas após a administração das folhas. Sinais clínicos leves como fezes pastosas, inquietação e aumento das frequências cardíaca e respiratória tiveram início cerca em 11 horas após a ingestão da planta. Minutos antes da morte observaram-se dispneia intensa com respiração abdominal pronunciada. As principais lesões macroscópicas foram restritas à cavidade torácica, como hidrotórax e edema pulmonar acentuado. O exame microscópico revelou no pulmão, edema acentuado e difuso na superfície pleural, nos espaços interlobulares e ao redor das artérias peribronquiais e peribronquiolares. Edema multifocal foi observado no interior de alvéolos e ao redor de brônquios e bronquíolos, além de leve infiltrado neutrofílico multifocal. O quadro clínico-patológico da intoxicação experimental foi similar ao observado na intoxicação espontânea e caracterizou-se por edema iulmonar acentuado e morte logo após o início dos sinais clínicos.(AU)

Detecção sorológica da infecção por Toxoplasma gondii em gatos errantes e domiciliados e sua avaliação hematológica / Serologic detection of toxoplasma gondii infection in stray and household cats and its hematologic evaluation

Aims: This study focused on the serologic detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in two groups of cats:stray and household groups. In addition, hematologic assessment of seropositive and seronegative cats was done. Methods: Sixty cats were serologically tested for anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using the latex agglutination test. Six collection sites for each group of cats were identified in the urban communities of Sta Rosa and San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines. The 60 cats collected were divided into 30 stray and 30 household cats. Results: Results revealed that 28 (46.67%) of the 60 cats were seropositive. There were more household cats (28.33%) which showed seropositivity compared to stray cats (18.33%), however the difference was statistically insignificant (p>0.05) . Hematologic tests through complete blood count showed significantly (p<0.05) higher number of seropositive cats with abnormalities on hemoglobin level, red blood cell count, segmenter (neutrophil) and monocyte counts compared to the control. Other parameters such as percent packed cell volume, white blood cell count, eosinophil and lymphocyte counts showed insignificant (p>0.05) results across seropositive cats and the control. Blood chemistry analysis showed significantly higher (p<0.05) potassium level irregularities in seropositive cats relative to the seronegative cats. Other parameters such as amylase, blood sugar, blood uric acid, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were statistically insignificant (p>0.05). Conclusions: Although Toxoplasma gondii infection suggests possible cause of hematologic abnormalities, it is recommended that further studies on this aspect be done to provide more basic and clinical research information that would improve cat health management.

Mammary solid carcinoma with spinal cord metastasis / Carcinoma sólido de glândula mamária com metástase em medula espinhal

Mammary neoplasias are common in canine females and carcinomas, among malignant types, occur frequently, especially solid form. At gross view, it can be small and incipient, but its invasive and show little differentiation, being able to produce metastasis that can compromise animal survive. This describes a bitch, Fila Brasileiro, six year old with tetraplegy and cervical spinal cord metastasis of mammary solid carcinoma.KEYWORDS: Central nervous system, dog, mammary neoplasia.

Neoplasias mamárias são comuns entre as fê­meas caninas e os carcinomas, dentre as formas malignas, ocorrem com maior frequência, particularmente o tipo sólido. Estes podem apresentar-se pequenos e incipientes à macroscopia, contudo são invasivos e pouco diferenciados, com possibilidade de produzir metástases que comprometem a sobrevida do animal. Assim, descreve-se o caso de uma cadela, da raça Fila Brasileiro, de seis anos, que apresentou tetraplegia consequente à metástase medular cervical de carcinoma sólido mamário.PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Cão, neoplasia mamária, sistema nervoso central.

Macroscopic, morphologic and morphometric aspects of the spleen of rats after total clamping of the hepatic pedicle / Aspectos macroscópicos, morfológicos e morfométricos do baço de ratos após o clampeamento total do pedículo hepático

One of the complications of hepatic pedicle total clamping is the splanchnic congestion and consequently a splenic congestion. The aim of this study was to observe the macro and microscopic alterations that occurred in the spleen during an ischemia produced by the hepatic pedicle clamping. Fourth male rats were divided in four groups of ten animals each. The control group (C) was not submitted to ischemia and the experimental groups (E1, E2 and E3) were submitted to the total clamping during 10, 20 and 30 minutes, respectively. After these periods, spleen fragments were collected and histological analyzed by the eosin-hematoxilin and ferric ferrocyanide staining technique. The results showed microscopic alterations at the E1, E2 and E3    groups that permitted to conclude that the total clamping of the hepatic pedicle promote intense vascular congestion, increase of the hemosiderin granules, decrease of the white pulp and increase of the red pulp, being these alterations more pronounced at the 30 minutes.KEY WORDS: Congestion, hemossiderina, spleen, rats.

Uma das complicações do clampeamento total do pedículo hepático é a congestão esplâncnica e, consequentemente, a congestão esplênica. Este trabalho teve como objetivo observar as alterações macroscópicas, morfológicas e morfométricas que ocorreram no baço com a isquemia produzida pelo clampeamento do pedículo hepático. Para tanto, utilizaram-se quarenta ratos machos, divididos em quatro grupos de dez animais. Não se submeteu o grupo controle (C) à isquemia. Por sua vez, submeteram-se os grupos experimentais (E1, E2 e E3) ao clampeamento total por dez, vinte e trinta minutos, respectivamente. Após esses períodos, fragmentos do baço foram retirados e analisados histologicamente pela técnica de Hematoxilina-eosina e Ferrocianeto-férrico. Os resultados mostraram alterações microscópicas nos grupos E1, E2 e E3, que permitem concluir que o clampeamento total do pedículo hepático promove intensa congestão vascular, aumento de grânulos de hemossiderina, diminuição da polpa branca e aumento da polpa vermelha, sendo essas alterações mais intensas aos trinta minutos. PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Baço, congestão, hemossiderina, rato.

MACROSCOPIC, MORPHOLOGIC AND MORPHOMETRIC ASPECTS OF THE SPLEEN OF RATS AFTER TOTAL CLAMPING OF THE HEPATIC PEDICLE / ASPECTOS MACROSCÓPICOS, MORFOLÓGICOS E MORFOMÉTRICOS DO BAÇO DE RATOS APÓS O CLAMPEAMENTO TOTAL DO PEDÍCULO HEPÁTICO

One of the complications of hepatic pedicle total clamping is the splanchnic congestion and consequently a splenic congestion. The aim of this study was to observe the macro and microscopic alterations that occurred in the spleen during an ischemia produced by the hepatic pedicle clamping. Fourth male rats were divided in four groups of ten animals each. The control group (C) was not submitted to ischemia and the experimental groups (E1, E2 and E3) were submitted to the total clamping during 10, 20 and 30 minutes, respectively. After these periods, spleen fragments were collected and histological analyzed by the eosin-hematoxilin and ferric ferrocyanide staining technique. The results showed microscopic alterations at the E1, E2 and E3    groups that permitted to conclude that the total clamping of the hepatic pedicle promote intense vascular congestion, increase of the hemosiderin granules, decrease of the white pulp and increase of the red pulp, being these alterations more pronounced at the 30 minutes.KEY WORDS: Congestion, hemossiderina, spleen, rats.

Uma das complicações do clampeamento total do pedículo hepático é a congestão esplâncnica e, consequentemente, a congestão esplênica. Este trabalho teve como objetivo observar as alterações macroscópicas, morfológicas e morfométricas que ocorreram no baço com a isquemia produzida pelo clampeamento do pedículo hepático. Para tanto, utilizaram-se quarenta ratos machos, divididos em quatro grupos de dez animais. Não se submeteu o grupo controle (C) à isquemia. Por sua vez, submeteram-se os grupos experimentais (E1, E2 e E3) ao clampeamento total por dez, vinte e trinta minutos, respectivamente. Após esses períodos, fragmentos do baço foram retirados e analisados histologicamente pela técnica de Hematoxilina-eosina e Ferrocianeto-férrico. Os resultados mostraram alterações microscópicas nos grupos E1, E2 e E3, que permitem concluir que o clampeamento total do pedículo hepático promove intensa congestão vascular, aumento de grânulos de hemossiderina, diminuição da polpa branca e aumento da polpa vermelha, sendo essas alterações mais intensas aos trinta minutos. PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Baço, congestão, hemossiderina, rato.

MAMMARY SOLID CARCINOMA WITH SPINAL CORD METASTASIS / CARCINOMA SÓLIDO DE GLÂNDULA MAMÁRIA COM METÁSTASE EM MEDULA ESPINHAL

Mammary neoplasias are common in canine females and carcinomas, among malignant types, occur frequently, especially solid form. At gross view, it can be small and incipient, but its invasive and show little differentiation, being able to produce metastasis that can compromise animal survive. This describes a bitch, Fila Brasileiro, six year old with tetraplegy and cervical spinal cord metastasis of mammary solid carcinoma.KEYWORDS: Central nervous system, dog, mammary neoplasia.

Neoplasias mamárias são comuns entre as fê­meas caninas e os carcinomas, dentre as formas malignas, ocorrem com maior frequência, particularmente o tipo sólido. Estes podem apresentar-se pequenos e incipientes à macroscopia, contudo são invasivos e pouco diferenciados, com possibilidade de produzir metástases que comprometem a sobrevida do animal. Assim, descreve-se o caso de uma cadela, da raça Fila Brasileiro, de seis anos, que apresentou tetraplegia consequente à metástase medular cervical de carcinoma sólido mamário.PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Cão, neoplasia mamária, sistema nervoso central.

Use of the Dorfman-Warnke classification (modified by Burke) in veterinary pathology in the evaluation of the lymphadenitis induced through canine parvovirus in guinea -pigs (Cavia porcellus ) / Utilização da classificação de Dorfman-Warnke (modificada por Burke) em patologia veterinária na avaliação da linfadenite induzida por parvovírus canino em cobaias (Cavia porcellus )

In human pathology the adequate system used to analyze and interprete reactive lymphadenopathies is based on the morphological characterization of the various areas within the lymphoid node. In veterinary pathology there is no standardization of histopathological evaluation of lymph nodes. Therefore, in this study, we applied the Dorfman-Warnke (modified by Burke) human classification of reactive lymphadenopathies to evaluate virus-induced lymphadenitis in guinea-pigs. Canine parvovirus was inoculated into the footpads of guinea-pigs and the response of popliteal lymph nodes was histologically studied. The footpads were excised after different periods of time, processed, and stained with HE, Mallory, Gordon & Sweets, Giemsa and by immunohistochemical methods. A significant increase in the weight of ipsilateral lymph nodes to the inoculation site (p 0.05) was observed. The follicular response in the lymph nodes was characterized by the reaction of the germinative center, which showed partial loss of delimitation in the mantle zone. Increased numbers of blast cells and hypertrophy of post-capillary venules were evidenced in the paracortical area of the lymph nodes. There was a discrete hyperplasia of the medullary cords and a general enlargement of the reticular net associated with those alterations. The reactional response observed was similar to viral lymphadenitis ident

Em patologia humana, a análise e interpretação das linfadenopatias reacionais baseia-se na caracterização morfológica das várias regiões do linfonodo. Em patologia veterinária não há essa padronização. No presente estudo, utilizamos as bases da classificação de Dorfman-Warnke (modificada por Burke), utilizada na área médica humana para avaliarmos uma linfadenite viral experimental em cobaias. Parvovírus canino foi inoculado em coxim plantar de cobaias e a resposta dos linfonodos poplíteos avaliada. No fim de cada período experimental, linfonodos foram excisados, pesados e processados histologicamente em cortes corados pelos métodos de Giemsa, Mallory, Gordon & Sweets e Hematoxilina-Eosina e por meio de imunoistoquímica com anticorpos pan-T e pan-B. Foi observado aumento de peso significante (p 0,05) dos linfonodos ipsilaterais ao sítio de inoculação em comparação com os contralaterais. A resposta folicular nos primeiros linfonodos foi caracterizada por reação do centro germinativo, apresentando perda parcial da delimitação da zona do manto. Em região paracortical aumentou o número de células blásticas, ocorrendo hipertrofia de vênulas pós-capilares. Associou-se discreta hiperplasia de cordões medulares e densificação do estroma reticular. A reação observada apresenta semelhanças com a identificada em humanos frente a estímulo viral, sugerindo a adequação do uso dessa cla