Category: Species

GDV is a common issue in dogs, and involves two components: dilation of the stomach with gas, then flipping of the stomach within the abdomen. Sometimes the spleen can get involved in the rotation as well, thanks to its attachment to the stomach.

Hydrocephalus is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the cranial cavity, in most cases within the brain’s 𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 (spaces where the cerebrospinal fluid flows within the brain).

𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬 are malignant tumours of the 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐮𝐦 (the cells that line the bile ducts in the liver).

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬 are one of the many causes of colic in horses. In this condition, there is a 𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐨𝐦𝐚 (a benign tumour of fat) that is 𝐩𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 (a long stalk with a mass on the end). Thanks to this long stalk, the mass can ends up wrapped around a piece of intestine, causing 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (complete loss of blood supply).

𝐆𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐮𝐬 larvae are the most common parasites of the equine stomach. There are six different species that can affect horses, but the most common ones are 𝐆𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬 and 𝐆𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬. In their adult form, these flies are frequently seen buzzing around livestock.

𝐋𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐲 𝐣𝐚𝐰 is probably one of the more descriptive veterinary disease names, being literally a disease causing a lumpy jaw! This is a type of 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐦𝐲𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬, or a bacterial infection of the mandibular bone.

𝐏𝐲𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐱 is when pus (pyo-) accumulates within the thoracic cavity. Usually, this looks like large amounts of cloudy, yellow or red fluid that contains long strands of 𝐟𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧 (one of the main clotting materials in the bloodstream).

𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐨- refers to the peritoneum, which is the membrane that lines the abdomen. 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐥 refers to the pericardium, the membrane sac that covers the heart. 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐬 are when some part of the intestinal tract or abdominal organs 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 (protrudes) through the 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐦, the muscular border between the abdomen and thorax that aids in breathing. So putting it all together, we have a hernia of abdominal organs through the diaphragm, due to a connection between the peritoneum and pericardium. Weird!

Swine erysipelas is a bacterial disease of pigs that is very, very common! Up to 50% of pig farms are considered to be colonized with the bacteria.

𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐚 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 are tumours of granulosa cells, which are the cells of the ovary that produce hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone. These tumours are often huge by the time they are detected, frequently replacing the whole ovary!