Journal Article

CLOACOLITHIASIS AND INTESTINAL LYMPHOSARCOMA IN AN AFRICAN BLACK-FOOTED PENGUIN (SPHENISCUS DEMERSUS)

Field, Cara L., MacLean, Robert A., Jones, Krista L., Stedman, Nancy L.

2014

Overview

A 13-yr-old male African black-footed penguin (Spheniscus demersus) presented thrice over 7 mo with gastrointestinal obstruction secondary to cloacolithiasis. Clinical signs consistently resolved with cloacolith removal and supportive care. However, 10 mo after initial presentation, it presented with similar signs, plus significant weight loss. No cloacolith was found, and it subsequently died. Significant gross findings included bilateral cecal masses, colonic perforation, and marked secondary coelomitis, multifocal tan to pale hepatic nodules, and pale kidneys with miliary white foci. Histopathologic diagnoses were intestinal lymphosarcoma with hepatic and renal metastases, secondary intestinal rupture, and subacute severe bacterial coelomitis. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first full report of either cloacolithiasis or lymphosarcoma in a penguin.

• Publisher: American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
• Subject: African black-footed penguin / Animals / Animals, Zoo / Antibodies / Bird Diseases - pathology / Brief Communication / BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS / Cloaca - pathology / cloacolith / Diffuse lymphoma / Fatal Outcome / histopathology / Intestinal Neoplasms - pathology / Intestinal Neoplasms - veterinary / intestinal obstruction / kidneys / lithiasis / Lithiasis - pathology / Lithiasis - veterinary / Lymphocytes / Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin - pathology / Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin - veterinary / lymphosarcoma / Male / males / Mass / metastasis / Neoplasia / Penguins / Spheniscidae / Spheniscus demersus / Symptoms / T lymphocytes / urolith / weight loss / Zoos