necropsy_chancellor

September 20, 1995 – January 17, 2006
10 years 4 months

Checklist of common diseases:

Other

Osteodystrophy/metabolic bone disease, tests still pending to further document underlying cause.

* Isay no here, as the changes evident on necropsy are more consistent with age than with underlying genetic predilection.

Interpretation of necropsy results:

The most noteworthy finding was that of a condition called Osteodystrophy, evidenced by changes in the rib cage, and to a lesser possibility, changes in the vertebral column as well. Due to the additional findings of urinary bladder atony, megacolon and muscle degeneration in the hind limbs, the changes in the vertebral column are more consistent with intervertebral disc disease in the pet. At any rate, the presence of  osteodystrophy is evident. This condition is most likely due to low levels of calcium in the blood stream, causing the body to draw calcium back out of the bones for use: metabolic bone disease. Usually this condition is associated with either a primary hypoparathyroidism (over active parathyroid gland in response to kidney disease or nutricional inbalance), kidney failure, improper nutrient absorption from the small intestine, etc. It appears that parathyroid or kidney involvement is less likely in this pet based on the findings so far, but it is my understanding that there may still be additional tests pending in that regard.

There is a strong evidence of intervertebral disc disease, and the conditions of urinary bladder atony and megacolon are most likely secondary to this. There is arthritis (DJD) present in both the shoulders and the hips. It is difficult to ascertain wether or not this is due to shoulder and hip dysplasia or is more an aging chance.

There is liver disease present in this pet, most likely chronic active hepatitis or hepatic cirrhosis. In many cases this is a disease associated with age and not with any underlying infection or cancer. There is no evidence of concurrent infection or cancer in this pet. The pancreas also shows some changes suggestive of an aging process, chronic fibrosing pancreatitis, but again no evidence of infection or cancer. There is some evidence of mild kidney changes as well, very likely not yet causing any active compromise to kidney function; again no evidence of infection or cancer

The skin seems devoid of any problems: no evidence of allergic skin or ear disease, no evidence of perianal fistulae.