necropsy_quest

Interpretation of necropsy results:

Quest was euthanized due to loss of control of his hindquarters.  There was visual evidence of both arthritis bridging the first four lumbar vertebrae (spondylosis) and intervertebral disc disease.  The severity of the disc disease increases when moving from head to tail of the dog.  There was moderate spinal cord compression in the region of L2-L3, and marked compression at L3-L4, which could have resulted in the clinical symptoms that Quest was displaying.  There is also bridging spondylosis of the second through 13^th thoracic vertebrae.    The microscopic examination of the spinal cord revealed only mild changes in no specific regions, and the compression visible grossly was not marked by microscopic evidence of chronic compression.  Usually there is a specific type of degenerative change associated with chronic compressive spinal cord lesions (Wallerian degeneration) which was not noted on microscopic exam.  There was build up of lipofuscin (pale yellow pigment granules) within many nerve cells, and mild degeneration of the myelin coating of several areas of the spinal cord, but this is consistent with age-related change and not specific to the symptoms that Quest displayed.

There is also a history of dysplasia of the hips and elbows, and arthritis of the stifle joints.  This was confirmed on necropsy examination, with only mild changes to the cartilage of the femoral heads of the hips joints, but more severe changes in elbows and stifles.  The elbows displayed remodeling of the cartilage protecting the joint, and formation of osteophytes (bone spurs,) several of which were floating free in the left elbow joint.  This is often called a “joint mouse” and can cause significant pain and diminished function.

There was mild diffuse congestion of the liver and lungs that was most likely secondary to the medications used for euthanasia.  There was moderate to severe arteriosclerosis of some of the vessels of the heart.  It is possible that over time there would be some compromise of oxygen supply to the muscles of the heart (cardiac musculature,) but there was no significant alteration to the heart yet on exam.  There were age-related changes in the kidneys, which involve thickening of some areas of the membranes similar to scar tissue, and atrophy of some of the functional areas of the kidney.  The skin of the lower lips showed moderate to severe infiltrate of plasma cells in the superficial and deep layers, termed plasmacytic dermatitis (“lip fold dermatitis.”)  There was no evidence of cancer, nor any disease in the digestive system, endocrine system, immune system, or eyes.