Name of the dog: Tumbledowns Super Sonic

Sire:Reeves Royal Angus Von Tasz

Dam:Phoenix of Tumbledown

Owner: Rhonda McMahan   

 

Checklist of common diseases:

  Yes No
Cancer
          Mammary
          Hemangiosarcoma
          Other


X*
X
X
 
Digestive system
          EPI
          IBD
          Perianal fistulas
 
X
X
X
Endocrine System
          Addison's disease
          Hypothyroidism

 		 X
X
X
Heart and Vascular system diseases   X
Immune system diseases   X
Skin diseases   X
Liver/Pancreatic X* , **  
Skeletal diseases
           Elbow dysplasia
          Hip dysplasia
          Intervertebral disc disease
          Lumbosacral stenosis
          Panosteitis
          Spondylosis


X (mild)


 
X
X

X
X
X
Neurological conditions
           GSD degenerative myelopathy		  
X
Ocular diseases
          Cataracts
          Pannus
          Corneal dystrophy		  
X
X
X
Non-genetic symptoms/side effects of other conditions
          Arthritis (DJD)
          Bladder atony
          Megacolon		  
X
X
X

*Disseminated hematopoetic neoplasm invading spleen, liver, adrenal gland, lung and thyroid gland; also benign seminoma (testicular tumor)

**Centrilobular hepatic necrosis, likely secondary to neoplasia

***Disc material is mildly degenerated, but there is no evidence of disc protrusion

Tumbledowns Super Sonic 

Necropsy performed at Oregon State University by
Pathologist:  Jerry R. Heidel, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Interpretation of necropsy report:

The most significant finding on the exam is that there is a cancer widespread throughout the spleen, liver, adrenal, lung, and thyroid.  The nature of the cells is suggestive of hematopoietic origin, most likely bone marrow, but there is no obvious primary tumor.  The cells are relegated to the vasculature (blood vessels) which makes it most likely that they are from the one marrow, but it is possible that they originated elsewhere, such as prostate, adrenal gland or epithelium

The liver exhibits evidence of a chronic process, possibly age-related, and also an acute necrosis, or dying of cells.  The necrosis may have been associated with the cancer, especially if it caused an anemia in the body.  Unfortunately the cause of necrosis is not clear.

There is marked muscle atrophy in the hind limbs.  There is occasional abnormality to the nerve sheaths in the lower spinal cord, most likely age-related.*   There is no evidence of a neuronal disorder.  There was an area of nodular exostosis (benign localized overgrowth of the bone) on the right radius, which is an incidental finding.  Other incidental findings include hyperplasia (overgrowth) of the adrenal gland and a seminoma (benign testicular tumor.)

There is no evidence of primary disease of the digestive system, endocrine system, heart/lungs, skin, skeletal system, neurological system, or eyes.

* Dr. Heidel considered this condition to be Intervertebral Disc Disease.  Our consultant, Dr. Mary Cardeccia interpreted the findings as degenerative discs related to old age.  Any time we have a difference of opinion, we’ll show it both ways.  Rhonda feels strongly that he should appear on the IVDD charts which is how we are reporting him.