February 2025

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POM February 2025 spleen

Animal: a 1-year-old male intact mix breed dog 

Organ:  spleen

History:  Wound on left shoulder for about 3 weeks, abscessed and ruptured. Patient stopped eating about a week ago, became extremely lethargic, wobbly, and dehydrated. Patient was not able to walk. Owners elected euthanasia.

Findings:  Diffusely, there was marked splenomegaly, lymphanedomegaly, and hepatomegaly. Histologically, pyogranulomas were seen in the brain and thyroid gland. Areas of necrosis were noted in the spleen and liver.  Silver stain revealed small numbers of filamentous, branching bacteria within the pyogranulomas. Microbiology from the brain reveled Actinomyces spp.

Morphological diagnoses: Spleen- splenitis, necrotizing, acute, multifocal, severe.

Contributor: Diana Bochynska DipECVP, Assistant Professor – Veterinary Pathology Ross,

Dana Sheets-Nichols, Ann Donachey-veterinary students

Bibliography: 

Barnes LD, Grahn BH. Actinomyces endophthalmitis and pneumonia in a dog. Can Vet J. 2007 Nov;48(11):1155-8. PMID: 18050796; PMCID: PMC2034423.