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Pentobarbital is used commonly to euthanize animals. Occasionally during a death investigation, it is necessary to determine whether a cat or dog was euthanized via pentobarbital overdose. Screening for the detection of barbiturates including pentobarbital can be performed using commercial immunochromatographic tests. We used a commercial immunochromatographic test for barbiturates in humans to screen for barbiturates in urine collected postmortem from 20 dogs and 20 cats to determine whether they had been euthanized with pentobarbital. Additionally, we analyzed the urine for pentobarbital using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry as a confirmatory test. Screening and confirmation testing revealed 100% agreement between the tests and with the euthanasia status of each animal. Our results support the use of the immunochromatographic test for the screening of urine collected postmortem to assess for the presence of barbiturates, specifically pentobarbital, used for euthanasia.

Introduction: Ninety-nine deceased free-roaming cats (FRCs) from two nonadjacent counties (Volusia and Alachua) in Florida were used to determine the prevalence of and associated exposure to pathogens postmortem, including Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Dirofilaria immitis, Mycoplasma haemofelis, Mycoplasma haemominutum, and Cytauxzoon felis. Methods: Humanely euthanized FRCs or those FRCs found dead in the community were submitted for postmortem examinations. Blood samples from these FRCs were analyzed using a combination of antibody, antigen, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Results: Male cats were at higher risk of infection for FeLV and FIV, intact cats were less likely to be infected with FeLV, and cats in the Volusia county were more likely to be infected with FIV. Mycoplasma haemominutum had the highest prevalence of all surveyed pathogens in this study, and infections were only identified in male cats. Conclusion: FRCs in this study had similar or higher prevalence rates of infections compared to studies assessing FRCs enrolled in trap-neuter-return programs from Florida.

The observance of pink teeth during the postmortem period in humans is known as the pink teeth phenomenon. In contrast, postmortem pink discoloration of teeth is rarely reported in veterinary medicine. We examined the teeth of nine dogs and a cat postmortem, all of which had varying degrees of pink discoloration of the teeth. Pink discoloration occurred in all types of teeth (incisors, canine, premolar, and molar). The roots of several teeth were discolored, ranging from pink to red, and over a 2–3 week period one dog’s lower incisors’ color changed from pink to red. Although the mechanism causing teeth to change color is suspected to be the uptake of hemoglobin within dentin tubules, the trigger for this phenomenon is not well understood. Our findings confirm the occurrence of the pink teeth phenomenon in dogs and a cat.

Estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is a poorly studied field in veterinary pathology. The development of field-applicable methods is needed given that animal cruelty investigations are increasing continually. We evaluated various histologic criteria in equine brain, liver, and muscle tissue to aid the estimation of PMI in horses, which is central to forensic investigations of suspicious death. After death, autolysis proceeds predictably, depending on environmental conditions. Currently, no field-applied methods exist that accurately estimate the PMI using histology in animals or humans through quantification of autolysis. Brain, liver, and skeletal muscle from 12 freshly euthanized horses were held at 22°C and 8°C for 72 h. Tissues were sampled at T0h, T1h, T2h, T4h, T6h, T12h, T24h, T36h, T48h, T60h, and T72h. For each tissue, we quantified 5 to 7 criteria associated with autolysis, based on the percentage of microscopic field involved. Each criterion was modeled, with temperature and time as independent variables. Changes were most predictable in liver and muscle over the first 72 h postmortem. The criteria for autolysis that were present most extensively at both temperatures were hepatocyte individualization and the separation of bile duct epithelium from the basement membrane. The changes that were present next most extensively were disruption of myofiber continuity, hypereosinophilia, and loss of striation. Brain changes were highly variable. The high statistical correlation between the parameter “autolysis” and the variables “time/temperature”, indicates that autolysis is progressive and predictable. Further investigation of these criteria is needed to establish histologic algorithms for PMI.

To investigate the injectate spread and nerve staining of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) injections at the thoracolumbar spine in canine cadavers.Prospective, randomized, descriptive, anatomic study.A total of 15 canine cadavers.The location of the medial and lateral branches of the dorsal branches of the spinal nerves (DBSN) from the tenth thoracic (T10) to the third lumbar vertebra (L3) were identified by dissection of three cadavers. ESP injections of dye (0.5 mL kgGross anatomic dissections showed that the medial and lateral branches of the DBSN change their path in relation to the epaxial muscles caudal to T11. Approaches ESPThese results suggest that the mammillary process should be used as anatomic landmark to perform ultrasound-guided ESP blocks in the thoracolumbar spine caudal to T11 when targeting the medial branches of the DBSN. Injections should be performed one spinal segment caudal to the level intended to desensitize.

The estimation of the time since death can be of vital importance in a forensic investigation. Several different methods are available to the forensic investigator for estimation of time since death, including temperature- and molecular-based methods, and entomology. The use of immunohistochemical (IHC) methods has rarely been studied for estimation of time since death. To determine whether IHC staining can be used for estimation of time since death in dogs, we selected skeletal muscle as it is abundantly available and slower to decay compared to other tissues. Euthanized dogs (Canis familiaris) were allowed to decompose for up to 30 days in a walk-in refrigeration unit. Thigh muscle tissue was collected from a single dog on postmortem days 0, 2, 4, 6,…, 28, 30. Tissues were formalin-fixed and IHC-stained for muscle-specific actin and desmin. IHC staining was evaluated using the immunoreactive score (IRS) system. Skeletal muscle from all dogs stained positive for the duration of this study. Desmin staining was negative at days 10 and 26. The results show that immunohistochemistry can be performed on dog skeletal muscle for at least 30 days postmortem and support the further investigation of the use of immunohistochemistry for muscle markers to investigate the time since death for periods longer than 30 days.

Animal sexual abuse cases present as an unusual scenario for forensic investigators. In this study, the kernechtrot–picroindigocarmine (KPIC, aka Christmas tree stain) staining properties of semen from 8 domestic dogs was compared to two samples of human sperm. In the head of the dog sperm, the acrosomal region stained pale red and the postacrosomal region stained dark red. There was a colorless band with a mean length of 0.59 μm within the sperm head between the acrosomal and postacrosomal regions. The colorless band was not identified within the human control samples nor reported in the literature. This data supports the use of KPIC stain for the examination of dog semen and further characterizes a unique staining pattern found in dog sperm that is not present in human sperm.

Vitamin D is an essential hormone in vertebrates. Most animals acquire this hormone through their diet and/or exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. The objectives for this research were to evaluate the clinical and physiologic effects of artificial UVB light supplementation on rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and to evaluate the long-term safety of artificial UVB light supplementation over a 6-month period. Twelve New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: Group A was exposed to 12 hours of artificial UVB radiation daily and Group B received ambient fluorescent light with no UVB supplementation for 12 hours daily. All animals were offered the same diet and housed under the same conditions. Blood samples were collected every 3 weeks over 6 months to measure blood chemistry values, parathyroid hormone, ionized calcium, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OHD3) levels. Serial ophthalmologic examinations were performed at the beginning of the study and every 2 months thereafter. At the end of the study the animals were euthanized and necropsied. Mean ± SD serum 25-OHD3 concentrations differed significantly (P = 0.003) between animals provided supplemental UVB radiation (83.12 ± 22.44 nmol/L) and those not provided UVB radiation (39.33 ± 26.07 nmol/L). There were no apparent negative clinical or pathologic side effects noted between the groups. This study found that exposing rabbits to UVB radiation long term significantly increased their circulating serum 25-OHD3 levels, which was sustainable over time.

Veterinary forensics is a rapidly growing field, and it is recognized that there is a connection between animal abuse and other types of interpersonal violence (Lockwood and Arkow 2016). While all states have misdemeanor and felony statues for animal abuse, unfortunately, not all cases of animal abuse are reported to the authorities or investigated for a multitude of reasons. Some of these reasons include the lack of mandatory reporting laws in all states, an inability to perform a forensic postmortem examination in all suspicious death cases, lack of training on the identification and documentation of suspected animal abuse, and financial constraints. While it is possible to mitigate some limitations on the local level in some communities, much improvement is needed on the state and national scale.

Postmortem chemistry can be a useful ancillary technique that the forensic pathologist can use during a death investigation. In stark contrast, there is limited information available for use of postmortem vitreous humor analysis in animals. In order to use postmortem vitreous humor in veterinary forensic investigations, validation of a method to analyze vitreous humor is required. The goal of this study was to determine the precision, bias, TEobs and sigma (σ) of the Element DC chemistry analyzer; assess its precision using the vitreous humor collected postmortem from dogs, cats and horses and assess the stability of postmortem vitreous humor from all the three species. Analysis of quality control material (QCM) and pooled vitreous humor samples for the three species was used to test for sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), creatinine (Crea) and blood/vitreous urea nitrogen. Analysis of QCM showed that the Element DC was both precise and accurate. When analyzing the pooled vitreous humors, most within-run coefficients of variance (CVs) were found to be

The purpose of this study was to use routine morphologic-based staining techniques to examine the histology of commercially labeled rawhide and rawhide-free dog chew products and compare the results to the product labeling. Ten dog chew products were examined by light microscopy using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome stains. The products were labeled by the manufacturer as rawhide, beef hide, beef chew/rawhide free, and rawhide free. Four of the products were composed of two separate materials, a main chew roll and a second substance (filler) which was coated on or between the layers of the main chew roll. These materials were processed independently. Microscopically, a variety of tissues and materials were identified including collagen, skeletal muscle, fat, plant material, and starch. The products and their fillers were separated into four distinct groups based on microscopic appearance. The components identified in eight of the products appeared consistent with the product labeling. Two products labeled as rawhide free appeared similar to the dermis and this was inconsistent with product labeling. Masson's trichrome stain was not helpful in distinguishing tissue types in the tested products and this may have been due to the heat processing the products underwent during manufacturing. Bacteria and/or fungi were identified by microscopy in the H&E stained sections in four rawhide-free products.

Ten adenocarcinomas of the apocrine gland of the anal sac and 11 hepatoid gland neoplasms were studied to determine the coordinate expression of cytokeratin 7 (CK7) and cytokeratin 14 (CK14) using commercially available antibodies. Hepatoid gland neoplasms included hepatoid gland adenomas, carcinomas and a single epithelioma. All 10 (100%) adenocarcinomas of the apocrine gland of the anal sac had CK7[Formula: see text]/CK14[Formula: see text] immunophenotype, whereas all 11 (100%) of hepatoid neoplasms expressed CK7[Formula: see text]/CK14[Formula: see text] immunophenotype. Hepatoid gland adenomas, carcinomas, and epithelioma could not be differentiated based on the cytokeratin immunophenotype. Hepatoid gland neoplasms could be differentiated from adenocarcinomas of the apocrine gland of the anal sac by differences in the CK7/CK14 immunophenotypes with a [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]. The results of this study provide further support for the use of coordinate expression of CK7/CK14 to differentiate apocrine gland adenocarcinomas of the anal sac (CK7[Formula: see text]/CK14[Formula: see text]) from hepatoid gland neoplasms (CK7[Formula: see text]/CK14[Formula: see text]).

Chemical sterilization is an alternative method to traditional surgical castration for means of canine population control. Zinc gluconate neutralized with arginine is an easy and cost-effective intratesticular chemical sterilant for use in male dogs. Rare adverse reactions have been reported and include scrotal ulceration, scrotal necrosis, testicular necrosis and orchitis. Here we present four additional cases of adverse reactions following administration of zinc gluconate neutralized with arginine that include ulcerative scrotal dermatitis, testicular necrosis, orchitis and vasculitis.

Mortality events in eastern box turtles (

Hemangiosarcoma is a common neoplasm of the spleen in older dogs. However, diagnosis is complicated by necrosis and hemorrhage, which can mimic a number of benign processes. Currently, there is no consensus about the number of sections pathologists should examine to rule out hemangiosarcoma. To answer this question, we examined 413 histopathologic sections from 50 cases of canine hemangiosarcoma (mean: 8.1 sections per case; range, 5–14). Each section had the presence or absence of hemangiosarcoma determined by 2 board-certified anatomic pathologists. Then, 100 Monte Carlo simulations were performed, randomly selecting sections from each case 10 000 times and the results averaged. These simulations suggest that examination of 5 sections from a spleen with hemangiosarcoma yields a 95.02% chance of diagnosing hemangiosarcoma, while examination of 10 sections yields a 98.59% chance of diagnosis when hemangiosarcoma is in fact present. The data emphasize the need to submit the entire spleen for histopathologic examination in suspected cases of hemangiosarcoma and suggest that 5 sections obtained by a trained individual are likely sufficient for diagnosis.

Cases of hyperthermia caused by exposure to high environmental temperature are not uncommonly encountered in dogs. The circumstances surrounding the exposure to high environmental temperature may be accidental or intentional; thus highlighting the importance to perform a forensic autopsy. This report documents three cases of canine environmentally induced hyperthermia and all dogs in this report died less than 6 hr after exposure to the high environmental temperatures. The most commonly observed macroscopic findings included cutaneous petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhage, pulmonary edema and congestion, and epicardial and endocardial hemorrhage. Microscopically, there was systemic vascular congestion and hemorrhage, fibrin thrombi formation, and occasional enterocyte and/or renal tubular necrosis. The findings from all cases were consistent with hyperthermia induced disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Semenogelins are proteins originating in the seminal vesicle and are useful markers for the presumptive identification of human semen. Detection of semenogelin can be done with a commercially available membrane test. In this study, a commercially available membrane test for human semenogelin proteins was used to assess for cross-reactivity in dog bodily fluids to allow for the potential utilization for detection of human semen in dog bodily fluids. The authors analyzed canine semen and other bodily fluids, including urine, saliva, vaginal secretions, fecal material, and blood. They also examined the distribution of human semenogelin I transcripts in the canine testis, prostate, and several bodily fluids by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. No cross-reactivity was observed in the canine bodily fluids tested except for a single rectal swab, which was negative on a second test. Further testing should be done to validate the use of this kit for screening samples from dogs suspected to have been victims of sexual abuse.

Animal sexual abuse (ASA) involves harm inflicted on animals for the purposes of human sexual gratification and includes such terms as bestiality, zoophilia, zoosadism, animal sexual assault, and others. The prevalence of ASA is not known, although it may be more common than is currently perceived. Veterinarians have the skills required to identify and document cases of ASA. This article reviews the terminology, legal definitions and forms of ASA, and its social and psychological context. An investigative approach is outlined, including an alternate light source examination; collection of swabs for DNA analysis; sampling vaginal washes, rectal washes, and toenails for trace evidence and biologic analyses; radiographic studies; and a complete forensic necropsy, including histopathology. Gross lesions identified in ASA victims include injuries to the anus, rectum, penis, scrotum, nipples, and vagina; the presence of foreign bodies; and abrasions, bruising, and other evidence of nonaccidental injury. Specialized procedures, including examination using alternate light sources and screening tests to identify human seminal fluid within samples from ASA victims, are of potential value but have not been validated for use in animals.

A 9-year-old, intact female alpaca ( Vicugna pacos) was presented for a second opinion with a 1-year history of nonpruritic, multifocal scaling and crusted cutaneous lesions, mainly involving skin on the face, axillae, and ventral abdomen. Clinical abnormalities were limited to the skin, and the alpaca was otherwise healthy. The initial veterinarian had examined the alpaca, found no evidence of ectoparasites with laboratory testing, and had tried several trial therapies including oral antibiotics, ivermectin, and topical use of betadine solution. At the time of presentation, the lesions had neither improved nor worsened with any attempted therapy, and multiple skin biopsies were collected. Histopathology and immunohistochemical staining findings were consistent with the pagetoid reticulosis type of cutaneous epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma. Our report describes the clinical, histopathologic, and immunophenotypic features of pagetoid reticulosis epitheliotropic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in an alpaca.

Mortality events in eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) threaten conservation efforts across the species range. These events are often under-diagnosed and, when observed, pre...

The aim of this case report is to describe the postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) and forensic autopsy investigation findings of a case of antemortem gastric perforation in a dog. A 13-year-old, spayed female, pit bull type dog with a recent history of limping, anorexia, and lethargy, was treated with unknown doses of an unknown corticosteroid, grapiprant (a veterinary nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug [NSAID]), and omeprazole, prior to euthanasia. PMCT was subsequently completed, followed by confirmatory forensic autopsy. On PMCT images, a full thickness gastric wall discontinuity with confluent luminal and extraluminal gas (pneumoperitoneum) was identified. In the absence of expected additional sites of postmortem intracavitary gas accumulation (pleural, peri-cardial, and intra-articular) the pneumoperitoneum was attributed primarily to antemortem gastric rupture, which precipitated patient decline and subsequent euthanasia. Forensic autopsy revealed gastric ulceration with perforation. Histological evaluation of the perforation site revealed suppurative inflammation and an early healing response. The combined findings of the PMCT and autopsy were compatible with antemortem gastric perforation attributable to the historical concurrent administration of a NSAID and corticosteroid. Given adequate radiologist knowledge and training, antemortem gastric perforation may be differentiated from postmortem gastromalacia with rupture.

Limited information is known about the baseline frequency of canine CD20 positive (To characterize the baseline frequency of CD20Skin biopsies from 24 client-owned animals diagnosed with cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma were assessed.A retrospective review of medical records from 2011 to 2018. Clinical histories and previous histological and immunohistochemical slides were collected from 24 dogs and additional immunohistochemical staining was performed as needed to assess cases of cutaneous epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma for CD3, CD20, CD79a and PAX5 staining characteristics. Staining characteristics were assessed for their statistical relationship to median survival time.Overall median survival time was 189 days following the onset of clinical signs and 99 days following definitive diagnosis; 54% of cases had CD20Canine cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma has a higher instance of CD20 positivity than documented previously. This indicates that CD20 staining may be unsuitable to differentiate T-cell and B-cell cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma. This also may have therapeutic implications with the advent of canine CD20 monoclonal antibody therapies.

This chapter will introduce the pathologist to animal sexual abuse. The focus of this chapter will be on the sexual assault examination of an animal including the perianal, vaginal, and penile examination. Ancillary tests such as alternate light source examination and collection of samples that may contain biological evidence such as semen will be discussed.

The forensic necropsy is similar to the forensic autopsy, as both have a more specific focus compared to the standard diagnostic necropsy and autopsy, respectively. Upon completion of the forensic necropsy the pathologist will generate a report that integrates the pathological findings with any specialized tests performed. During the forensic necropsy there may be documentation of different types of injuries and/or natural diseases. Ambient temperatures, body condition of the animal, hair coat density and length, underlying disease, and storage conditions of the body, among many other factors, can significantly alter the rate of decomposition. Imbibition of hemoglobin refers to the red discoloration of soft tissues that occurs with advanced autolysis. The external and internal examination of the body of an animal death is known as a necropsy or postmortem examination. Full evaluation of the heart involves examination of the epicardium, myocardium, and endocardium, both major outflow tracts, both atrioventricular valves, as well as the pulmonic and aortic semilunar valves.

Two dogs with a history of being found dead within environments exposed to extremely cold weather were examined postmortem. In both cases, brown to red to black, round to irregularly shaped foci ranging from 0.5–15 mm in diameter were identified within the mucosa of the stomach. These foci are grossly and microscopically consistent with Wischnewsky spots that are reported in humans. These spots in the mucosa of the stomach are considered important findings in cases of hypothermia-related deaths in humans and are for the first time reported in the dog.

Case Description—A 5-year-old sexually intact male Giant Schnauzer was evaluated because of difficulty breathing and left pelvic limb swelling. Eighteen months previously, the patient had had intermittent left pelvic limb swelling, but the owner declined further testing at that time. Clinical Findings—Physical examination revealed severe pitting edema of the left pelvic limb and prepuce and muffled heart sounds on thoracic auscultation. Results of thoracic radiography and thoracocentesis were consistent with chylothorax, and CT imaging of the thorax and abdomen revealed a mass involving the whole left sublumbar area. Treatment and Outcome—In an attempt to treat the chylothorax, pleural omentalization and pericardectomy were performed. Histologic evaluation of several biopsy specimens harvested in the abdominal and thoracic cavities revealed disseminated lymphangiosarcoma. The patient recovered well from surgery, and mitoxantrone chemotherapy was administered. As of 10 months after surgery, the dog was clinically normal except for mild pelvic limb edema. Clinical Relevance—The combination of clinical signs, multiple imaging features, surgical findings, and histologic examination findings enabled the final diagnosis of lymphangiosarcoma. Clinical management that included medical and surgical treatments and chemotherapy resulted in improved quality of life and extended survival time in a dog with metastatic lymphangiosarcoma.

The lymphatic system is a vascular system that drains interstitial fluid to the regional lymph nodes and finally to the venous system as lymph. There are primary lymphoid organs which are sites at which B and T lymphocytes are formed, and secondary lymphoid organs are the sites where mature lymphocytes home after exiting primary lymphoid organs and undergo selection and clonal expansion in an antigen-dependent fashion. Primary and secondary lymphoid organs include the bone, thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). There are numerous incidental- or treatment-related degenerate, hyperplastic, neoplastic, inflammatory, and toxicologic lesions observed in these lymphoid organs. This chapter describes these lesions in detail along with various immunohistochemical markers used in labeling lymphocytes and other cells.

Background Limited information is known about the baseline frequency of canine CD20 positive (+ ) cutaneous epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma. A single canine case report has been published. Objectives To characterize the baseline frequency of CD20+ staining in cases of canine cutaneous epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma; to assess its values as a prognostic indicator. Animals Skin biopsies from 24 client-owned animals diagnosed with cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma were assessed. Methods and materials A retrospective review of medical records from 2011 to 2018. Clinical histories and previous histological and immunohistochemical slides were collected from 24 dogs and additional immunohistochemical staining was performed as needed to assess cases of cutaneous epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma for CD3, CD20, CD79a and PAX5 staining characteristics. Staining characteristics were assessed for their statistical relationship to median survival time. Results Overall median survival time was 189 days following the onset of clinical signs and 99 days following definitive diagnosis; 54% of cases had CD20+ staining. There was no statistically significant correlation between staining characteristics and median survival time from onset of signs (P = 0.54) or from diagnosis (P = 0.61). Conclusions and clinical significance Canine cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma has a higher instance of CD20 positivity than documented previously. This indicates that CD20 staining may be unsuitable to differentiate T-cell and B-cell cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma. This also may have therapeutic implications with the advent of canine CD20 monoclonal antibody therapies.

Because of exposure to environmental pollutants, infectious agents, and genetic predisposition, companion animals develop respiratory illnesses similar to those in humans. Older dogs of smaller breeds develop canine infectious respiratory disease, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with chronic lung infection, airway goblet cell hyperplasia and metaplasia, and mucus hypersecretion. Excessive mucus clogs airways, reduces gas exchanges, disables the mucociliary clearance, and reduces drug penetration. The Forkhead box protein A2 (FOXA2) is a key transcriptional regulator that maintains airway mucus homeostasis. Prior studies have shown that FOXA2 expression is frequently depleted in diseased human airways. Unfortunately, FOXA2 depletion has not been examined in dogs. Our current study indicated that both single bacterial infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bordetella bronchiseptica and polymicrobial infection by viral/bacterial pathogens depleted FOXA2 in canine airways, resulting in goblet cell hyperplasia and metaplasia and excessive mucus production. Furthermore, P. aeruginosa virulence factor pyocyanin activated the antagonistic STAT6 and epidermal growth factor receptor signalling pathways to inhibit FOXA2. Unravelling the mechanism of FOXA2 inactivation will hasten the development of non-antibiotic therapeutics to improve mucociliary clearance of pathogens in canine airway.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) was diagnosed during postmortem examination of 2 captive adult Bennett's wallabies ( Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus). The wallabies were members of a mob (herd) of 3 wallabies, and 2 died spontaneously without clinical signs of heart failure being detected. Gross lesions in both cases included marked concentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle, pulmonary edema, and multifocal hemorrhage and subcutaneous edema of the hind limbs. Histologic lesions of the heart were limited to mild cardiac myofiber disarray and marked cardiac myofiber hypertrophy. A specific etiology for the HCM was not determined in either animal. The cardiac changes are similar to the left ventricular hypertrophy previously described in kangaroos.

A 15-year-old female Domestic Medium Hair cat presented to the referring veterinarian with a 2-month history of multiple, raised, disseminated, nodular skin lesions. A biopsy of 1 of the lesions was submitted to the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory for evaluation. Histologically, there were multiple dermal nodules composed of sheets of neoplastic round cells. Multifocally, the neoplastic cells formed multiple small clusters of 3–5 cells within the epidermis. Distinct cytoplasmic granules were evident within the neoplastic cells with toluidine blue and Giemsa stains. The neoplastic cells were immunoreactive for c-KIT and lacked immunoreactivity for cluster of differentiation 3 with immunohistochemistry. Based on these findings, multiple epitheliotropic cutaneous mast cell tumors were diagnosed. The cat's health declined rapidly despite aggressive treatment, and the animal was humanely euthanatized. A complete necropsy revealed sheets of similar neoplastic mast cells within the spleen, liver, and individual cells scattered within the bone marrow. Exon 11 of the c-KIT messenger RNA from 1 of the cutaneous masses and the spleen was amplified with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, sequenced, and compared with the published c-KIT messenger RNA sequence from fetal cat tissues. The maximum identity was 100% for both tissue samples. To the authors’ knowledge, the present report is the first to describe disseminated cutaneous mast cell tumors with epitheliotropism and systemic mastocytosis in a domestic cat.