Anatomical Path Exam 1

physical examination of an animal after death to determine the abnormal and disease-related changes that occured during its life

necropsy

True or False: Disease doesn't necessarily mean sickness.

True

True or False: Learning and maintaining a systematic technique isn't mandatory when performing a necropsy examination!

False

Why do we perform necropsies?

to determine exact cause of death, accuracy of the clinical diagnosis, effects of treatment, and risk to other animals or people

What are the areas in which field necropsies are frequently performed:

If a suspected zoonotic disease, we can bury the body 6 feet below right in the field
It is more convenient sometimes rather than transporting a large animal
More cost efficient
Prevents any contamination to the other animals in the field
We could get quicker results rather than spending time taking them to a clinic

Obtain owner's written permission \____________ starting the necropsy!

before

True or False: Never freeze the body prior to necropsy!

True

What was be recorded if an animal was euthanized?

the date, time, method

What is the maximum time for a necropsy to be kept refrigerated?

24 hrs

True or False: All PPE and equipment does not have to be dedicated to necropsy to prevent the spread of disease to other animals and people.

False

Basic PPE requiered for ALL necropsy examinations include:

-scrubs
-lab coat or coveralls
-rubber boots or plastic booties over sneakers
-latex or nitrile exam gloves (2 pair)
-eye protection (glasses and/or goggles)

True or False: Always wear a mask and goggles when working with any of these wild or exotic species.

True

Additional PPE required when working with non-human primates:

-Latex or Nitrile gloves (2 pair)
- Full face shield

Additional PPE required when working with avian species:

-Respirator (N95)

The following are commonly used to perform a necropsy exam:

-necropsy knives
-scalpel handle and blades
-scissors
-forceps
-utility scissors
-ruler or measuring tape
-bone-cutting forceps
-hacksaw
-lopping shears
-string or hemostats

The destruction of tissues and cells by their own enzymes.

autolysis

Post-mortem autolysis and putrefaction occur simultaneously resulting in what?

decomposition

External microbial flora and internal normal flora break down tissues which results in color change, gas production, texture changes, and odor.

Putrefaction

What factors affect onset of post-mortem change?

-cause of death
-environment temperature
-body temperature at time of death
-microbial flora present in the body

True or False: Bone survives for a long time after death of the body.

True

blood pooling on the dependent(down) side of the animal after death due to gravity

livor mortis

How long does the livor mortis proccess take till it begins?

within 30 minutes to one hour after death

contraction of the muscles after death resulting in rigidity of the body

rigor mortis

What are required for muscle relaxation and are depleted after death so the muscles contract?

ATP and glycogen

How long down Rigor Mortis take to begin and how long does it last?

one to six hours after death, and lasts for 1 to 2 days

What is another name for bloody nasal discharge?

purge fluid

What results from pressure changes exerted on the body as it decomposes?

reddish-brown, foul-smelling discharge from the oral and nasal cavities

the froth is only present in the distal 1/3 of the trachea

post-mortem change

the froth extends beyond the distal 1/2 of the trachea

pulmonary edema

can occur secondary to bloat as increase pressure is exerted on the abdominal cavity post-mortem

rectal and vaginal prolapse

What occurs as a result of post-mortem gas production in the lumen of the GI tract?

bloating

gas production occuring in tissues secondary to putrefaction

emphysema

increased darkening of the pigmentation of the tissues as a result of increased pigment-like granules in cells such as macrophages in the tissue

melanosis

Blue-green discoloration of the tissues results from the reaction of H2S production from bacterial putrefaction and iron from hemoglobin of lysed RBCs reacting to form iron sulfide

Pseudomelanosis

Red staining of tissues due to the breakdown of vessel walls and lysis of RBCs secondary to autolysis

Hemoglobin Imbibition

Whats the difference between a hemorrhage and hemoglobin imbibition?

-hemorrhage demonstrates sharp borders; dark red to black discoloration of tissues adjacent to normal tissues
-hemoglobin imbibition lacks a sharp border; pale pink to red discoloration; and spreads smoothly throughout an entire tissue or organ

What is the other name of bile imbibition?

pseudoicterus

bile leakage from the gallbladder stains surrounding tissues a yellow to greenish-brown color

bile imbibition

Why are lymph nodes in young animals enlarged and reactive?

they are young and naiive

What can occur after death if the animal was struggling to urinate or defecate at the time of death?

Mucosal Reddening of the Colon and Bladder

Another name for mucosal reddening of the colon or bladder.

Tiger striped

Clouding of the lens of the eye when the body is frozen or chilled after death.

Post-mortem cataracts

True or False: Lenses will return to normal as the body warms.

True

Easily confused with true cataracts at time of necropsy if preservation of the body is unknown.

Post-mortem cataracts

Clotted blood pools after death and the heavier RBCs settle to the bottom of the clot with the yellow serum settling on the top

chicken fat clot

Where does post- mortem blood clotting occur within several hours after death?

heart and vessels

disease in which is transmissible from animal to man and vice versa

zoonotic disease

disease transmitted from people to animals

reverse zoonosis (anthroponosis)

How many zoonotic diseases are known to exist?

150

disease caused by previously unknown agents or by known agents in a species or location previously unknown

emerging zoonosis

How are these diseases transmitted?

-direct contact
-vector-borne transmission
-indirect contact
-placental transmission

disease which pose significant threat to human and/or animal health

reportable disease

Why should these diseases be reportable?

-avoid devastation to livestock and poultry populations
-prevent export bans on animals and animal-related products
-eliminate the financial burden required to control or eradicate the disease
-prevent establishment of wildlife reservoirs for disease which would complicate control and eradication

What is the causative agent for Tuberculosis?

Mycobacterium sp.

What is the primary zoonotic agent for Tuberculosis?

Mycobacterium bovis

Who are potentially infected with tuberculosis?

humans
non human primates
cattle
rodents
other mammals
birds

What is the mode of transmission for Tuberculosis?

-inhalation of droplets (most efficient means of zoonotic transmission)
-contaminated equipment
-contact with contaminated urine, feces, or mucus secretions
-bites
-consumption of raw products

This disease affects every part of the body, is chronic, and is mainly characterized by pulmonary/respiratory involvement.

Tuberculosis

What are some symptoms of Tuberculosis in humans?

-fever, fatigue, and cough
-chronic pulmonary disease (fatal)
-lungs, kidneys and vasculature are all compromised

True or False: Tuberculosis is the highest risk for development of progessive pulmonary/extrapulmonary disease (1-2 years post infection).

True

True or False: Tuberculosis is treatable in people with a 6-month course of antibiotics.

True

What are some general signs of Tuberculosis in animals?

-weakness
-anorexia
-dyspnea
-emaciation
-low-grade fever

True or False: Tuberculosis may be asymptomatic and has a history of respiratory distress.

True

Where are granulomas typically found?

lymph nodes
spleen
liver
lung
body cavity surface

What does the culture and staining of Tuberculosis look like?

Mycobacterium is a gram positive, acid-fast red

What samples should be collected at necropsy for Tuberculosis diagnosis?

-culture from any abnormal lymph nodes or nodular organs (lungs, liver, spleen)
-retropharyngeal, mandibular, supramammary, and mediastinal lymph nodes, and liver
-samples for histopathology

Should samples for Tuberculosis be sent off for testing immediately?

Yes

True or False: Tuberculosis is a reportable disease.

True

What is known as the Woolsorter's disease?

Anthrax

What is the causative agent for Anthrax?

Bacillus anthracis

Who are potentially infected with anthrax?

-herbivores are primary host
-ruminants are most susceptible to infection
-humans and other mammals are accidental hosts

What are the modes of transmission for Anthrax?

-ingestion (GI tract)
-inhalation of spores
-cutaneous (skin exposure)

What is the most common route for animals to become infected with Anthrax?

Ingestion (GI tract) due to ingestion of spores from contaminated soil

What is the most common route for human infection with Anthrax?

Cutaneous (skin exposure)

What are the symptoms in humans with Anthrax?

-cutaneous form
-inhalational form
-ingestion
-mortality from untreated cases

True or False: Anthrax is not easily treated with antibiotics.

False

True or False: Anthrax can progress to systemic bacteremia, septicemia, and death if untreated.

True

What disease progresses to fever, chills, recumbency, shock, collapse, and death within a few hours?

Anthrax

In Anthrax, what animals is recovery common in?

Pigs, dogs, and cats

What will you see at necropsy of anthrax?

poorly clotted dark blood from anus, vulva, nostrils, and mouth

What should carcasses be done to when dealing with Anthrax?

incinerated

True or False: With Anthrax, necropsies can be performed.

False

What would Anthrax look like under a microscope?

Spore forming
encapsulated
Gram-positive red

Is Anthrax a reportable disease?

Yes

What is also known as undalant fever, contagious abortion, or Bang's Disease?

Brucellosis

What is the most common mode of transmission for Brucellosis?

contact with placenta, fetus, fetal fluids, and vaginal discharge

Which disease is humans primarily infected cutaneously via contact with infected tissues/fluids?

Brucellosis

Which is one of the most serious diseases of livestock because it spreads so rapidly and is transmissible to humans?

Brucellosis

True or False: Anthrax is the most easily acquired laboratory infection.

False, Brucellosis

What are some symptoms in humans that have Brucellosis?

-flu-like symptoms
-fever, aches, bacteremia, and granulomatous lesions
-severe complications

What happens to cattle with Brucellosis?

-abortions
-stillbirths
-weak calves
-testicular abscesses
-arthritis

What happen to horses with Brucellosis?

-fistulous withers/poll-evil
-abortions are rare

With Brucellosis, cattle at necropsy would have what throughout the reproductive tract, mammary tissues, spleen, liver, LN, kidneys, and lungs?

purulent lesions and granulomas

Which Brucellosis species is a reportable disease?

B. abortus

True or False: Brucellosis is destroyed by heat and sunlight exposure.

True

What are some sample collections with Brucellosis?

-stomach contents from aborted feti
-afterbirth, placenta, fetal tissues
-LN, spleen, liver, milk, semen, infected lesions
-blood and serum

What does Brucellosis look like under a microscope?

Gram negative coccobacilli (shortened rods)

What is another name for the Bubonic Plague?

Black Death

What is the causative agent for Bubonic Plague?

Yersenia pestis

Who becomes infected with Bubonic Plague?

rodents: prairie dogs, squirrels, rats, field mice
-sometimes humans, rabbits, and cats