Many cedar waxwings were found dead in a yard in Thomas County, Georgia, in April, 2009. Five of these submitted to the Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, where they were examined grossly and microscopically.

Veterinary pathologists are challenged daily with making a diagnosis on a variety of surgical biopsies. Many times clinicians will opt for surgical biopsy hoping for a definitive diagnosis that will give relevant information for therapy and prognosis. The pathologist becomes that one person from whom clinicians and owners wait for an answer. At times, however, the histological findings are inconclusive. Some examples of challenging diagnoses are discussed below.

Bovine enterovirus (BEV) belongs to the family Picornaviridae (picornaviruses), which consists of small (18–30 nm), nonenveloped viruses with an icosahedral capsid that encloses a single copy of positive-sense RNA genome. Bovine enterovirus is in the genus Enterovirus, along with poliovirus, human enterovirus, coxsackieviruses, swine vesicular disease virus, echovirus 11, and others. Originally classified into several serotypes, only two serotypes, BEV-1 and BEV-2 are now recognized.Because of the unavailability of type specific antisera or a commercially available diagnostic test, a genotypic classification, which supports previous recognized serological distinctions has been proposed.

The Georgia Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories are two of only 41 accredited veterinary laboratories in North America. We are accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD). The goal of the AAVLD is to assist Labs meet or exceed the World Organization for Animal Health Quality Standards and Guidelines for Veterinary Laboratories. Meeting these quality standards requires the effort of every staff member, from the directors and pathologists to the technicians and administrative personnel.

Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal and zoonotic bacterial disease caused by pathogenic bacterium Leptospira. There are over 200 serovars maintained in renal tubules of many domestic and wild animal species.

General Guidelines and Principles

• Label slides, tubes, and slide holders: Use patient name and site. Labeling is necessary to prevent and correct sample errors, and to preserve chain of custody. A key, explained in the submission form, can be used for multiple masses/specimens.

Earlier this year, an outbreak of salmonellosis was associated with tainted peanut butter products from the Peanut Corporation of America, and products are still being recalled as this article is being written. Although most of the products involved were for human consumption, some dog biscuits, rawhides, and other pet treats were among the recalled items. In addition, many pet owners admitted to having fed peanut butter crackers and other recalled human foods to their pets. Given recent deaths in animals due to melamine/cyanuric acid and aflatoxin contaminated dog and cat foods, it is understandable that owners are concerned about food recalls. However, Salmonella-contaminated pet treats and foods actually pose a risk to owners as well as to their pets.

One of the most common reasons for bringing pets to a veterinarian is skin disease. In many cases, the diagnosis is obvious and treatment is straightforward and successful. However, diagnostic tests are necessary to determine the cause when lesions are unusual; suggestive of serious diseases that require expensive, dangerous, or long term treatment; or do not respond to treatment as expected. Skin biopsies are frequently the most direct means of making a diagnosis because they are relatively easy to do, rapid, cost-effective, and safe for the patient.

Histopathology is a powerful and inexpensive diagnostic method. Submission of the right specimen in the right fixative is crucial for microscopic evaluation of biopsy specimens and organ or tissue samples from necropsies. Properly selected, appropriately collected and preserved specimens are very helpful in establishing an accurate diagnosis.

Ranaviruses have been implicated as one of the causes of worldwide amphibian declines. These viruses can be deadly to amphibians and have caused mass mortality events in North America. Clinical signs of ranavirus infection may be vague but include hemorrhaging of the skin, lethargy, and swelling (edema). Multiple internal organs may be affected; however, the kidney and liver often are targeted, resulting in hemorrhage and necrosis. In some species, mortality can occur as early as within a few days of exposure.