Name of the dog: Crystal’s Lady in Red

Sire: Reeves Royal Angus Von Tasz    Dam: Hoofprint Emerald “Ashlee”

Owner: Judy Huston                             Breeder: Pam and Larry Koons

 

Checklist of common diseases:

  Yes No
Cancer
          Mammary
          Hemangiosarcoma
          Other


 
X
X
X
Digestive system
          EPI
          IBD
          Perianal fistulas
X
X

X
Endocrine System
          Addison's disease
          Hypothyroidism

 

X
Heart and Vascular system diseases X*  
Immune system diseases   X
Skin diseases   X
Liver/Pancreatic X*  
Skeletal diseases
           Elbow dysplasia
          Hip dysplasia
          Intervertebral disc disease
          Lumbosacral stenosis
          Panosteitis
          Spondylosis

X
X
X
X
X


X
Neurological conditions
           GSD degenerative myelopathy		  
X
Ocular diseases
          Cataracts
          Pannus
          Corneal dystrophy		  
X
X
X
Non-genetic symptoms/side effects of other conditions
          Arthritis (DJD)
          Bladder atony
          Megacolon
 		 X

X

X

 

Other
 * Liver and pancreas had changes likely secondary to circulatory compromise from the intervertebral disc disease/lumbosacral stenosis.

Interpretation of necropsy results:

The apparent cause of death of this dog was systemic toxemia secondary to devitalization of the mucosa of the colon.  This allowed bacteria from the colon and the toxins produced by it to be absorbed into the blood stream.  This was part of a series of changes in the body that all stemmed from one another.  There was evidence of intervertebral disc disease throughout portions of the lumbar spine.  This dog was also previously diagnosed with Cauda Equina syndrome/ Lumbosacral stenosis, so it is most likely that the intervertebral disc disease was secondary to this primary condition.  This then led to a demyelinating myelopathy and neuropathy, which caused compromise to many areas of the body, including the gastrointestinal tract (megacolon.)  The compromise to the colon led to devitalization of the mucosa (intestinal lining) and the formation of blood clots in the vessels of the colon.  Toxins from the bacteria in the colon would then be able to enter the blood stream and affect the organs, resulting in the death of this dog.

There was extensive ulceration of the stomach in this dog, which may have been a primary problem or may have been secondary to steroid use (to treat the symptoms of the myelopathy/neuropathy.)  There were changes in the liver consistent with steroid use as well.  The lungs and pancreas exhibited evidence of being affected by the systemic toxemia as well.  The lungs displayed evidence of inflammation, the pancreas hemorrhage.

Other findings include mild arthritic changes in the elbows and hips.  There was no evidence of elbow or hip dysplasia.   There was no skin disease or ocular disease in this patient.