necropsy_luger
WSCC, RBCSWO, BIMBS, U-CH, U-CD
CRYSTAL’S LI’L PISTOL VON TASZ “LUGER”
WETT, FGDCH, AM/CN CD, OA, OAJ, DSA, CGC, HIC (s&d)
OFA (H&E), vWF 88%
1st to earn a Water Rescue title (WETT)
Highest scoring white GSD in flyball history.
Sire: Moses Lacsar Von Tasz
Dam: Hoofprint Emerald
Owner: Michelle Koons
Breeder: Pam and Larry Koons
July 31, 1993 – December 20, 2006
13 years, 4 months
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 |
Luger
Interpretation of necropsy report:
The most significant finding on the report is the presence of hemangiosarcoma (cancer) in the spleen, which has also metastasized to the liver. There were also changes consistent with steroid hepatopathy in the liver. This would either be a result of using steroids to treat a medical condition or from overproduction of cortisol from the adrenal gland. In this case, with the changes noted in the spinal canal, I would guess that Luger was being treated with cortisone. This is consistent with some of the other findings on the exam.
The musculoskeletal system is involved both with the presence of hip dysplasia, and the lumbosacral stenosis and spondylosis of the lumbar spine. Both the hip dysplasia and the lumbosacral stenosis were diagnosed in 1999 at MSU, and confirmed on necropsy. The spondylosis is bridging arthritis between vertebrae, and is present between the 2nd and 3rd lumbar vertebrae, as well as between the 7th lumbar and 1st sacral vertebrae. In addition there was degeneration of the intervertebral disc at L7-S1. There were changes in the muscles of the lower back, and degeneration of the nerves exiting the spinal cord in the same region. Most likely the lumbosacral stenosis put pressure on the nerve roots and caused the subsequent changes in the muscles of that region.
Changes considered to be normal aging processes in dogs include the infiltration of fat within the heart muscle, splenic siderotic plaques (deposits of pigmented tissue with in the spleen,) and adrenal cortical hyperplasia (enlargement of the outer portion of the adrenal gland.) Of questionable significance is the arteriosclerosis in the arteries of the heart and lumbar skeletal muscles. It is possible that this was due to hypothyroidism; unfortunately, the thyroid glands were not evaluated microscopically to further pursue this theory. The changes are not highly suggestive of hypothyroidism given their character and distribution, so the significance of these changes is not clear. The prostatic atrophy is to be expected in a neutered male dog. The skin of the right elbow is consistent with a pressure sore/callus. The growth on the right lower leg (acrochordon/skin tag) is benign and an incidental finding. The changes in the lung (congestion and edema) are consistent with fluid accumulation from the medication used for euthanasia. The ectopic hair follicle development on the tongue is bizarre, but not of clinical significance. It has been previously reported in dogs.
The cervical lymph nodes (located in the neck) contained changes that made it seem as if there had been drainage of blood from that area, although there was no other evidence of hemorrhage in that region. There was no evidence of cancer within the lymph nodes.
There were no significant changes in the digestive system, endocrine system, immune system, skin, or eyes.