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Signalment

Fifi - 29 year old male African Black-Footed Penguin from Baltimore Zoo

History

• History of chronic severe spinal arthritis and difficulty walking
• Previous oral fissure, now healed
• Medications: Tramodol and Cosequin

Clinical Findings

• Presented for weight loss and regurgitation
• Progressive dyspnea and weakness
• CBC findings:
  • Moderate leukocytosis
  • Marked hypoalbuminemia
  • Severe derangements on protein electrophoresis
• Elected euthanasia due to declining condition

Post-Mortem Findings

Prominent Keel, muscle atrophy

When you open the coelom, you see this:

You remove the pluck to take a closer look... (dorsal surface is pictured)

Questions

• Can you localize the lesion to a specific organ?
  • Hint: This anatomic structure is not found in mammals!
• What are your top differentials for respiratory disease in a bird? How about Penguin-specific differentials?
• What would you expect to see on a histopathology for each of these top differentials?
• Are there any special stains you could do to confirm your diagnosis?

Additional Post-Mortem Findings

Incidental Lesions

Just for fun! What do you see?

Histopathology

Lesion Localization

Airsac Histopathology

Airsac Histopathology

Airsac Histopathology

Airsac Special Stains

Ventriculus