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Ferrets (Laboratory) - Pathology (view source)
Revision as of 17:02, 2 March 2011
, 17:02, 2 March 2011→Bacterial
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'''Proliferative Colitis'''
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Proliferative colitis is uncommon in ferrets but is usually seen in male ferrets under the age of one. This disease can be sporadic and may be present in only one or two animals within a large colony. Clinical signs can include tenesmus and production of small, frequent bowel movements that will contain blood and mucus. Proliferative colitis is caused by a campylobacter-type organism resulting in asymmetrical proliferation of immature epithelium and thickening of the gut wall. This disease is also associated with stress and if untreated can be fatal.
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Gross lesions will include noticeable thickening of the colonic wall which will be opaque, rather than being able to see fecal matter through the wall. The mucosa will be prominently "cobblestoned". Microscopic lesions will include a mucosa that is thickened by up to five times via a proliferation of immature epithelial cells with vesicular nuclei and basophilic cytoplasm. There will also be a marked decrease in goblet cells.
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'''Lawsonia intracellularis'''
'''Lawsonia intracellularis'''
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