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Ferrets (Laboratory) - Pathology (view source)
Revision as of 17:32, 4 March 2011
, 17:32, 4 March 2011→Musculoskeletal System
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Gross lesions from chordomas are usually seen as club-like swellings at the tip of the tail, involving the last caudal vertebrae. Cervical chordomas often present as lytic neoplasms together with posterior paralysis. Microscopic lesions will manifest as locally aggressive neoplasms often infiltrating the vertebral bodies. The neoplasm itself will usually be composed of foamy "physaliferous cells" (having vaculoes) which are seperated by a moderate amount of myxomatous matrix (weakening of connective tissue). There may also be multifocal areas of well-differentiated cartilage and bone within the neoplasms.
Gross lesions from chordomas are usually seen as club-like swellings at the tip of the tail, involving the last caudal vertebrae. Cervical chordomas often present as lytic neoplasms together with posterior paralysis. Microscopic lesions will manifest as locally aggressive neoplasms often infiltrating the vertebral bodies. The neoplasm itself will usually be composed of foamy "physaliferous cells" (having vaculoes) which are seperated by a moderate amount of myxomatous matrix (weakening of connective tissue). There may also be multifocal areas of well-differentiated cartilage and bone within the neoplasms.
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'''Polymyositis Syndrome'''
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This syndrome is a recent discovery in ferrets and usually affects ferrets of less than one year old. Clinical symptoms are non-descript but can include persistent high fever, leukocytosis, hindlimb weakness, paresthesia, occasional abscessation of one or more peripheral lymph nodes (usually in hind legs), wasting, difficulty swallowing and ultimately death. Morbidity associated with this syndrome is low whilst mortality is high. Research has currently failed to find a causative agent.
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Gross lesions may include suppurative inflammation of the thorax with inflammation of the oesophagus the primary finding. Other gross lesions may be minimal in most cases but can include chronic wasting and associated muscle loss and mottling with multifocal oesophageal haemorrhage. More acute cases may have swelling of the peripheral lymph nodes, most commonly the popliteal lymph nodes. Microscopic lesions may histologically resemble a bacterial infection of the thorax with large numbers of neutrophils infiltrating the pleura, thoracic lymph nodes and oesophagus. Oesophageal lesions will include neutrophil infiltration into the serosal and muscular layers eventually resulting in widespread necrosis and loss of muscle tissue, dysphagia and death. In some cases, suppurative inflammation of the peripheral lymph nodes and surrounding muscle and fat may be seen.
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