1. Date – 14/04/14
POST MORTEM ON A DOG
Died date: 07/02/14
Necropsy date: 07/02/14
OWNERS DETAILS
Name: Musilekwa .E
Address: Nil
CARCASS/BODY IDENTIFICATION (SIGNALMENT)
Species: Canine Sex: Male
Breed: Boerboel Age: 10 years
General body condition: fair Color: Brown
CLINICAL HISTORY
The dog was experiencing chronic diarrhea that was unresponsive to antibiotics for about a
month duration coupled with fever. Moist rales lung sounds were heard on auscultation with
pleural effusion. The prescapular and submandibular lymph nodes were enlarged. Masses were
felt in the abdomen on palpation. Fine needle aspiration revealed possible lymphoma and ultra
sound revealed multiple hypoechoic masses, the spleen also showed evidence of a possible tumor
infiltration.
POST MORTEM FINDINGS
 Mass of twisted intestines that adhered to each other
 Multiple abscesses in the intestines
 Purulent lymphadenitis
 Foreign body obstruction at the pylorus
 Brownish-greenish diarrhea-like content from the stomach to the rectum
 Septicemia
 Heart muscle flabby and distended
 Round shaped heart
 Markedly enlarged prostate
 Nephritis
 Markedly enlarged spleen
 Markedly enlarged lymph nodes
 Cysts in the liver + reddish fluid

2. DIAGNOSIS
 Suspected lymphoma
 Intestinal twist
 Septicemia
DISCUSSION
The Boerboel is a large, mastiff dog breed from South Africa, bred for the purpose of guarding the
homestead. The average life expectancy of this breed is ten (10) years therefore, despite the
Boerboels generally known good health, the breed can suffer from several common dog
infections/conditions following old age (geriatric diseases).
Suspected lymphoma - Lymphoma is a cancer of a part of the immune system called the lymph
system. Lymphomas begin/caused when a type of white blood cell, called a T cell or B cell,
becomes abnormal. The cell divides again and again, making more and more abnormal cells
(http://www.nlm.nih.gov). The symptoms of lymphoma includes; swollen, painless lymph nodes
in the neck, armpits or groin, unexplained weight loss, Fever, Soaking night sweats, Coughing,
trouble breathing or chest pain, Weakness and tiredness that don't go away and Pain, swelling or a
feeling of fullness in the abdomen. Diagnosis of lymphoma is done with a physical exam, blood
tests, a chest x-ray, and a biopsy. Treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted
therapy, biological therapy, or therapy to remove proteins from the blood. Targeted therapy uses
substances that attack cancer cells without harming normal cells. Biologic therapy boosts your
body's own ability to fight cancer (Miller E.S, 1960)
These abnormal cells can spread to almost any other part of the body then there is an increased
risk if you have a weakened immune system which lead the dog to have certain types of infect ions
such as septicemia which is the presence of microorganisms or their toxins in the blood. Sepsis is
caused by the immune system's response to a serious infection, most commonly bacteria, but also
fungi, viruses, and parasites in the blood, urinary tract, lungs, skin, or other tissues. Sepsis can be
thought of as falling within a continuum from infection to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome
as seen in the dog. Septicemia symptoms includes high fevers, hot, flushed skin, elevated heart
rate, hyperventilation, altered mental status, swelling, and low blood pressure. In the very young
and elderly, with weakened immune systems. Diagnosis studies should include measurement of
serum lactate, obtaining appropriate cultures before initiation of antimicrobial treatment, so long
as this does not delay antimicrobial treatment by more than 45 minutes. The
management/treatment therapy of sepsis rests on intravenous fluids, antibiotics, surgical drainage
of infected fluid collections, and appropriate support for organ dysfunction. This may include
hemodialysis in kidney failure, mechanical ventilation in pulmonary dysfunction, transfusion of
blood products, and drug and fluid therapy for circulatory failure. Ensuring adequate nutrit ion—
Date – 14/04/14

3. preferably by enteral feeding, but in the case of this dog which had gastric pylorus obstruction it
is necessary to feed by parenteral nutrition this is also ideal during prolonged illness
(http://en.wikipedia.org).
Eating foreign objects that cause intestinal obstruction. Gastrointestinal obstruction is defined as
the partial or complete blockage of the flow of nutrients (solid or liquid) ingested into the body,
and/or secretions from the stomach into and through the intestines this leads to Intestinal twists,
exercising just after feeding may also cause intestinal twist (http://www.medhelp.org)
REFERENCES
1) Humphreys D.J, (1988), The Veterinary Toxicology, 3rd Edition, Bailliere Tindall,
London
2) Miller E.S, (1960), A Textbook of Clinical Pathology, 6th Edition, The Williams and
Wilkins Company
3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepsis#Signs_and_symptoms
4) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/lymphoma.html
5) http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Dogs/what-causes-twisted- intestines/show/1321198
Date – 14/04/14

4. Date – 14/04/14
The University of Zambia
School of veterinary medicine
Department of Paraclinical studies
Post mortem lab report
Name: Musalo Brian
Comp#: 10008047
Title: post mortem of the dog
Attention: Dr. Hamaambulu
Lecturer: Dr. Yabe