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Background: Gastroesophageal intussusception is characterized by the invagination of the stomach into the esophagus, with or without the involvementof adjacent organs such as the spleen, pancreas, and omentum. In dogs, this condition has no breed or sex predisposition. As it is an infrequent disease in routine veterinary medical practice, this study reports a case of gastroesophageal intussusception in a dog necropsied at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (HOVET - UFRPE), Recife, Brazil. Case: The body of a 12-year-old black mixed breed male dog was sent to the Pathology Department (Necropsy Sector of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco - UFRPE) for a necropsy. The animal had a previous 4-year history of recurrent emesis and limb weakness, primarily in the anterior limbs, that worsened in the previous months and progressed to death. No previous treatments were reported by the owner. On external examination, the animal had a low body score (cachectic), forelimb joints with great flexibility, congested oral and ocular mucous membranes, enophthalmos, and increased volume in the perianal region. At the opening of the thoracic cavity, the final third of the esophagus was dilated and gastroesophageal intussusception, edema, and pulmonary congestion were noted. In the abdominal cavity, there was hepatic and renal congestion and large intestine and rectal ampoule dilation, with a large amount of solid and retained feces (fecaloma), perianal hernia, and testicular neoformation. These findings were consistent with those observed in death caused by cardiorespiratory failure secondary to gastroesophageal intussusception. Discussion: The pathophysiology of gastroesophageal intussusception is still not elucidated and is probably multifactorial. This condition causes reverse gastric peristalsis associated with a sudden and sustained increase in abdominal pressure. Some probable predisposing factors for this pathological condition are esophageal motility disorders, lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction, and hiatal enlargement. In dogs, gastroesophageal intussusception is associated with increased intraabdominal pressure owing to emesis or blunt trauma, negative intrathoracic pressure caused by respiratory, and previous esophageal diseases, especially megaesophagus. Partial or total obstruction caused by intussusception leads to circulatory disorders in the organs, especially decreased venous return. Persistence of this condition can lead to gastric necrosis and rupture followed by endotoxic (or septic) shock and release of inflammatory mediators that can cause cardiovascular and respiratory dysfunction and rapid death. Impaired circulation is macroscopically evident in several organs, characterized by mucosal, lung, liver, and kidney congestion, in addition to cardiac dilation and mitral valve endocardiosis. The occurrence of stomach invagination into the esophagus dilated in the final portion is characteristic of gastroesophageal intussusception. Moreover, death owing to cardiorespiratory failure is related to cardiac (dilatation and endocardiosis) and pulmonary (edema and congestion) involvement secondary to gastroesophageal intussusception. Since thispotentially fatal condition has a low incidence in small animals and often goes unnoticed by professionals, early and correct diagnosis along with surgical treatment are essential for a good prognosis and favorable progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast neoplasms are among the most common neoplastic conditions affecting domestic animals and are considered the most common type of cancer affecting women, bitches, and cats. However, there are few reports on breast neoplasms in wild animals, and there is no record of their occurrence in armadillos worldwide. Breast neoplasms are hormone-dependent neoplasms that often cause lymph node and pulmonary metastases. The diagnosis is based on the patient's history, complete physical examination, and complementary tests. Here we report a case of mammary neoplasia with pulmonary metastasis in an armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus). Case: A senile female armadillo was referred to us for treatment with a history of hyporexia and nodules in both breasts. Ultrasonographic examination revealed a hypoechogenic nodular lesion with a cross-section of approximately 1.3 × 1.4 cm and well-defined borders. The lesion had a circumscribed aspect in the left mammary gland. In the right mammary gland, there was a heterogeneous lesion with cystic formations and anechoic content. Cytopathological examination of the nodules was performed by fine needle aspiration cytology and revealed the presence of epithelial cells with ovoid and aberrant nuclei, anisocariasis, binucleation, coarse chromatin, and a high nucleus to cytoplasm ratio suggestive of carcinoma. The animal had a lean body score due to hyporexia that had evolved to anorexia and was undergoing supportive treatment. Nevertheless, the animal died two months after the cytologic diagnosis. A necropsy was performed. Cutting of the breast nodules revealed a hardened pale yellow material. The animal had pronounced pleural effusion, hemorrhage, and numerous pale yellow nodules of various sizes with firm consistency throughout the lung parenchyma. It also had hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Fragments of various organs were fixed in 10% buffered formalin, routinely processed, embedded in paraffin, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Upon microscopic examination, the mammary nodes demonstrated a proliferation of epithelial cells organized into tubular structures with intraluminal papillary projections. The cells had a polyhedral profile and a high nucleus to cytoplasm ratio, moderately pleomorphic evident nuclei. Some cells had coarse chromatin. We observed moderate anisocytosis and anisocariasis, as well as mitotic figures. In the lungs, nodules with the same microscopic characteristics of the mammary nodes were observed in addition to intense congestion and multifocal hemorrhages. Discussion: This type of mammary carcinoma is considered an invasive neoplasm of ductal origin, and is morphologically characterized by rounded, ovoid, or angulated tubule formations with intraluminal projections. The patient's prognosis is directly related to the occurrence of vascular invasion and metastasis. If present, these conditions may lead to reduced patient survival. Since the lungs are the most common sites of metastasis, pleural effusion caused by vessel erosion due to the presence of tumors is common and can in most cases lead to respiratory failure and eventually death. In this case, the association between the necropsy findings and the results of the histopathological examination enabled us to classify the carcinoma as one of mammary origin and of the tubulopapillary type with pulmonary metastasis. This is the first report of mammary carcinoma in an armadillo in captivity in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cryptococcosis is an important zoonotic disease that occurs worldwide. The disease is caused by a soilborne opportunistic fungus of the genus Cryptococcus, which can also be found in the feces of birds, especially pigeons. In Brazil, the geographical distribution of the agent is fairly defined, with the species C. gattii predominantly found in the north-eastern states. Diagnosis is based on the clinical history, physical examination findings, and results of complementary testing, such as cytopathological and histopathological examinations. This report aims to describe the clinical and anatomopathological findings in a case of systemic cryptococcosis in a dog. Case: A 4-year-old female Miniature Schnauzer was referred for necropsy. For 3 months prior to death, the dog had displayed generalized alopecia, pruritus, and severe weight loss, Initially, a private veterinarian had suspected leishmaniasis. Gross examination was performed and samples for cytopathology, histopathology, and fungal culture were obtained. The macroscopic examination revealed generalized alopecia, congested mucosa, cachexia, hyperemia of the brain, and multiple white nodules measuring 0.5 cm to 4 cm in the lungs and the kidneys. None of the other organs showed significant lesions. Cytopathological examination of the nodules revealed a highly cellular sample, with a severe chronic inflammatory response, characterized by multinucleated giant cells and round-to-elliptical, yeast-shaped structures (5-10 µm), suggestive of Cryptococcus organisms. Histopathological examination of the lungs, kidneys, and brain revealed a severe diffuse chronic inflammatory process, with lymphocytic infiltration and multinucleated giant cells; countless yeast-shaped, round-to-ovoid structures (similar in appearance to "soap bubbles") that were negative in hematoxylin-eosin stain were also present. Grocott's methenamine silver stain was then applied, which positively stained the organism capsules black, confirming Cryptococcus. For mycological diagnosis, samples from the lungs nodules were cultured on Sabouraud's dextrose agar supplemented with chloramphenicol 0.4% and incubated for 7 days at 25-30°C. Abundant small, smooth, irregular-sized, cream-colored colonies were obtained, and a mycological smear, stained by India ink, was performed. Discussion: Considered an uncommon disease, canine cryptococcosis can be misdiagnosed. Clinical findings, such as alopecia, lymphadenopathy, and cutaneous nodules that may be ulcerated, are commonly seen in these patients due to the hematogenous spread of the organism. In the case described, the dog's owner was contacted and asked to provide epidemiological information. The owner reported that the dog had lived in an apartment, with little access to the street; however, pigeons were frequently observed on the balcony, along with pigeon feces in the dog feeder. The presence of pigeon feces is a risk factor for the development and spread of the fungus, which may be problematic to public health. Cytopathological examination is a simple, quick diagnostic tool with good sensitivity for some infectious agents. Mycological culture can provide results due to the characteristic of the Cryptococcus sp., since the encapsulated yeast produces a mucous-like colony. Cryptococcosis has a relevant role in public health, so a precise diagnosis is imperative. Its diagnosis is based upon culture, cytology and serological tools. When the animal does not survive to the ilness, the association between necropsy findings and histopathological examinations is essencial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we assessed outcome of experimental infection by Neospora caninum in goats intravenously inoculated with 106 tachyzoites of the Nc-Spain7 isolate at 40 (G1), 90 (G2) and 120 (G3) days of gestation. Infected goats had fever between 5 and 9 days post inoculation (dpi); all were seropositive at the time of abortion/birth. Foetal death occurred in G1 from 10 to 21 dpi (n = 7) and in G2 from 27 to 35 dpi (n = 4). Goats in G2 also had seropositive stillbirth (n = 1) and healthy kids (n = 2). G3 goats (n = 7) had 3 seropositive and 3 seronegative weak kids, and 2 seronegative healthy kids. Parasite DNA detection in placentomes was 100% in G2, 85.7% in G3 and in G1 was detected only in placentomes from the goats with foetal losses from 17 dpi (100%). Parasites were detected in foetal/kid brain (>85.7%) and liver (≥50%) of G2 and G3, and in G1 after 17 dpi (100%). The highest parasite loads were detected in the placentomes of G1 from 17 dpi and G2, and in foetal tissues of G1 from 17 dpi and G3. Multifocal necrotic lesions were observed in the placentas of the three groups, but they were larger and more frequent in G1 and G2. Similar lesions were observed in foetal tissues, but they were more frequent in G3. These findings suggest that, as observed in cattle and sheep, the clinical consequences of N. caninum in pregnant goats are dependent in part on the time of gestation when animals were infected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a malignant tumor of mesenchymal cells present in the cardiac muscle. Their microscopic features are varied and difficult to confirm. Macroscopically present pinkish and fleshy, creeping into the cardiac chambers. The objective of this work was to report a case of rhabdomyosarcoma in a dog sent to in sector of necropsy from Área de Patologia from Departamento de Medicina Veterinária (DMV) UFRPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the main nonconformities that result in cytopathological samples inappropriate for diagnosis in veterinary medicine. All cytopathological samples, obtained from different canine and feline tissues/lesions, included in the study were received and classifi ed as inconclusive by a single public laboratory of veterinary pathology, located in Pernambuco State, Brazil, between 2012 and 2016. Nonconformities regarding the smear quality, cellularity, presence or absence of hemorrhage, cellular overlapping, desiccation, and presence or absence of necrotic debris and/or artifacts were evaluated. Data were tabulated using Microsoft Excel 2007; absolute and relative frequencies were calculated using EPIINFO 3.5.2. From the 3268 cases received between 2012 and 2016, 190 cases were selected and comprised 514 inconclusive slides. The most frequent nonconformities detected were insuffi cient/absence of cellularity in 100% (514/514), inadequate submacroscopic presentation in 87% (446/514), and hemorrhage in 69% (356/514) of samples. Other features identifi ed were cellular overlapping in 34% (175/514), inadequate staining in 31% (175/514), artifacts in 30% (154/514), desiccation in 28% (145/514), and necrotic debris in 26% (133/514) of samples. The implementation of laboratory standard operational procedures aimed at maintaining quality is essential. It is necessary to initially identify the main errors occurring in the processing stages as a way to guide and design strategies to avoid them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]