Changes

===Pathology===

===Pathology===

Necrosis of the left ventricular papillary muscle and petechiation, ecchymoses or haemorrhages in the wall of the pulmonary artery have been described as "pathognomic" lesions for bluetongue. However, pulpy kidney disease and Rift Valley fever may occasionally cause similar lesions in sheep, and the lesions may be difficult to visualise in mild or recovering cases.

Necrosis of the left ventricular papillary muscle and petechiation, ecchymoses or haemorrhages in the wall of the pulmonary artery have been described as "pathognomic" lesions for bluetongue. However, pulpy kidney disease and Rift Valley fever may occasionally cause similar lesions in sheep, and the lesions may be difficult to visualise in mild or recovering cases. Haemorrhage and necrosis may be found in other locations where fragile capillaries are damaged by mechanical abrasion. These can include the buccal oral mucosa, the mucosa of the oesophageal groove and the omasal folds as well as the skeletal muscle, myocardium and the intestines. Post-mortem examination may also reveal subcutaneous and intermuscular oedema, hydrothorax or hydropericardium, pericarditis, and pneumonia.

 

Hemorrhages and necrosis are usually found where mechanical abrasion damages fragile capillaries, such as on the buccal surface of the cheek opposite the molar teeth and the mucosa of the esophageal groove and omasal folds. Other autopsy findings include subcutaneous and intermuscular edema, skeletal myonecrosis, myocardial and intestinal hemorrhages, hydrothorax, hydropericardium, pericarditis, and pneumonia.

==Treatment==

==Treatment==