20 DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISHERIES No. 9 



yellowish areas 2 to 4 m.m. in diameter. Small tubercles present along the insertion of the 

 diaphragm. Tracheo-bronchial glands enlarged and caseous when cut into. Smears show acid- 

 fast bacilli. A small growth was successfully obtained on egg media after five weeks' culture. 



Diagnosis. — Tuberculosis. 



Type. — Not determined at date of writing. 



Summary 



A case of tuberculosis has been met with in a wild coon. The diagnosis 

 was difficult but the inoculation of guinea pigs brought out the fresh lesions 

 with more numerous bacilli. Infection may have been caused from eating a 

 tubercular chicken or from being fed milk from a tubercular cow. 



We wish to acknowledge the kindness of Dr. Neil McKinnon and Dr. M. 

 H. Brown of the Connaught Laboratories for confirming the tuberculosis diagnosis 

 and determination of the type. 



Lung-Worm Pneumonic Bacterin 



Secondary broncho-pneumonia following lung-worm parasitism is by far 

 the most common cause of death in foxes sent to the Experimental Fur Farm 

 for autopsy. Lung worms present in the trachea and bronchioles of parasitized 

 foxes set up a continual irritation and the resulting inflammation thereby weakens 

 the lungs. Foxes so affected are most susceptible to infections, and secondary 

 pneumonia is a common sequence. Broncho-pneumonia or catarrh is the 

 common clinical symptom of lung-worm parasitism. The severity differs from 

 a slight bronchial catarrh to pneumonia involving the entire lung substance. 

 It is noted that the number of cases received at the Experimental Fur Farm 

 are increased during and following adverse weather conditions. Pup foxes 

 have less resistance and will often succumb quickly, while affected adults may 

 appear healthy except for the harsh bronchial cough. On certain ranches where 

 parasitism with lung worms is heavy the owner may lose considerable numbers of 

 pups each year from lung complications following lung-worm infection. 



Routine bacteriological examination of autopsied lung-worm fox carcasses 

 reveals that a number of organisms may be involved. Those commonly present 

 include Staphylococcus aureus and albus, several streptococci, Alcaligines 

 bronchisepticus, and Escherichia coli communis. Several other organisms may 

 be included. Staphylococcus is the predominant organism. It is well 

 known that staphylococcic bacterins give good results both as a preven- 

 tative and in clearing up pus conditions. \Mth this object in mind, 

 bacterins were prepared containing large amounts of staphylococcus and 

 in proportion the other organisms listed above. All were isolated from cases 

 of secondary broncho-pneumonia or so called lung-worm pneumonia of foxes. 

 Some 1,500 c.c. was prepared and given to nearby ranchers that have had trouble 

 from lung-worm infections each year. The ranchers reported excellent results 

 and several severe cases brought to the farm for treatment were kept over and 

 treated with gratifying results. 



The bacterin will not get rid of the lung worms and is not intended for 

 that purpose. It will, however, clean up the pus condition that is usually 

 present in the trachea and lungs. It is doubtful if the ordinary infection with 

 lung worms alone will cause serious trouble to the fox. But it is the weakened 

 condition of the lungs that leaves the animal susceptible to secondary infections 

 that cause pneumonia and bronchitis, which often lead to death. The 

 pneumonia is the real cause of death and not the lung worm. By cleaning up 

 the existing pus condition the animal is enabled to breathe properly and to 



