152 VETERINARY STATE BOARD 



smootli and moist; on pressure a frothy serum exudes from the 

 healthy portion and a grayish-yellow fluid from the diseased areas. 

 The lobules stand out prominently and may contain pus foci. 



Abdominal Organs 



Describe the post-mortem appearance of the intestines in catarrhal 

 enteritis. 



Acute form: The intestinal mucosa is reddened, swollen and 

 covered with slimy mucus mixed with dead epithelial cells. Small 

 hemorrhages may be present. The submucosa is infiltrated with 

 serum. The villi are swollen and crowded together giving a velvety 

 appearance. Peyer's patches are swollen and may discharge pus 

 and even become ulcerated. 



Chronic form: The mucosa is darkly pigmented (sometimes 

 pale), thickened and covered with an excess of mucus; the thicken- 

 ing may extend into the submucosa, giving a firm leathery feeling 

 to the part. The villi are hypertrophied and Peyer's patches con- 

 gested and ulcerated. 



Describe enteroliths. 



These are hard, dense, stony concretions found in the intestines 

 and range in weight from one ounce to 25 pounds. They resemble 

 billiard balls, or sometimes are pyramidal in shape from being 

 worn off on the sides. Their principal constituent is ammonio- 

 magnesium phosphate which is largely derived from wheat and rye 

 bran feeds. Enteroliths are important because of obstructions and 

 erosions which they produce in the intestines. 



Give the pathology of peritonitis. 



The peritoneum is congested, dull and opaque; fibrinous mem- 

 branes cover the surface. Serous fluid may be present in large 

 amounts (40 litres) in the peritoneal cavity; later this fluid may 

 be mixed with fibrin flocculi and pus. Acute peritonitis may be- 

 come chronic with the development of connective tissue under the 

 fibrinous membrane. In this case the peritoneum becomes thick- 

 ened and the surface of the organs is covered with thick layers of 

 connective tissue. 



Describe the appearance of a cirrhotic liver. 



In atrophic cirrhosis there is an increase in connective tissue 

 with compression of the parenchyma. The tissue is of a tough, 

 leather-like consistency and grates when cut. The organ is reduced 

 in size, the surface irregular and granular or nodular; the serous 

 covering is thickened. 



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