Chip was neutered today, so I had a chance to visit with the vet about Ozzy's necropsy report.
Gross necropsy results: enlarged liver, gall bladder and adrenals. All internal organs were jaundiced. No abnormalities of the kidney or bladder were noted.
Diagnosis: Degenerative hepatopathy with megalocytosis (degenerative liver disease with abnormally large red blood cells)
Intrepretation: Although the pathologist mentioned the possibility of aflatoxicosis or pyrrolizidine alkaloids, Ozzy's vet felt that given Ozzy's diet, he wouldn't have been exposed to either the aflatoxins or pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Therefore, from her perspective, the cause of the liver disease is unknown.
No body fluids were analyzed given the type of necropsy performed. The lab wanted $190 to do a necropsy and refused to do a cosmetic necropsy so that Zack could have the body back to bury. My vet decided that was unexceptable so she removed the organs and then prepared Ozzy's body so it would be "presentable."
So that everything is together, I am attaching the complete necropsy report and also Ozzy's medical records. The links below are for the threads during Ozzy's illness.
Once again, thanks for all the support during Ozzy's illness and death. I wasn't registered until after he got sick, and your support meant so much.
One note of interest: Prolonged jaundice can cause calcium deficiency. Ozzy's symptoms the day he died were of Hind Leg Paralysis. I did some research then and found out with babies, prolonged jaundice can cause hypocalcemia.
This probably wasn't an easy thing for you to have done on Ozzy-but maybe it will help other gliders who present with similar symptoms. I'm glad you got to have the body returned, and a vet who cared enough to make it happen. He's waiting at the rainbow bridge for the day when you join him! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/muchlove.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
I'm anxious for Bruce to see those slides, Lynn, and I think he'll be able to tell a lot more. A lot of things can have cause aflatoxin exposure, so I don't think you can just exclude it. But I agree wtih xfilefan -- we can learn a lot from Ozzy, and appreciate your willingness to involve us along the way.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/gliderangel.gif" alt="" /> [:"magenta"] thanx so much for sharing this with us. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/gliderangel.gif" alt="" />[/]