WildLife Group
of the SAVA
External Findings
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Average body condition (2.5/5)
Moderate tick burden
No obstructions or injuries to oral cavity
No visible signs of external trauma
State veterinary services post mortem examination facility
Internal Findings
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Pungent rotten smell
Normal skeletal muscle colour and texture
Necro-haemorrhagic tracheal lining
Severe haemothorax (+- 2-3 litres un-clotted
blood in thorax)
Moderate haemopericardium
Severely autolyzed heart muscle (pale pink in
colour with putty like texture)
Severe red consolidation of left cranial and caudal
lung lobes and right caudo-dorsal lobe.
Severely autolyzed kidneys (pulpy), with low
amount of peri-renal fat.
Severely autolyzed liver (clay like texture)
Mildly gas distended GIT with healthy
forestomach and intestinal mucosa lining.
Normal rumen and intestinal contents. No signs of
acidosis (pH:6).
No visible internal parasites
Exposed kidney in situ
Further Results
Histopathology showed autolytic changes which
may have represented the Clostridial organisms seen
on the smears. Additional smears were negative
for blood-borne parasites and faecal parasitology
showed a low nematode infection (less than 250 eggs
per gram). Unfortunately, no aerobic or anaerobic
bacterial colonies could be cultured as a result of a
logistical mix up between the courier and bacteriology
laboratory. This also meant that no PCR typing was
possible.
Conclusion
Although very similar in presentation to anthrax, the
clinical and post mortem findings suggested that a
Clostridial organism was responsible for the kudu’s
death. However, no species could be established
definitively and the true cause of death was unknown.
Lessons Learnt for Future
Investigations
Trachea and lungs on cut surface
14
In this investigation, Clostridium spp. was the most
likely aetiological agent responsible for the death of
the kudu. These bacteria can be cultured and typed
provided the samples reach the diagnostic laboratory
in sufficient time and under the right transport
conditions. In this case study, the correct transport