Fatal Peritonitis associated with Pasteurella multocida in an Asian Small-Clawed Otter (Aonyx cinereus)

• DOI: 10.17555/jvc.2024.41.1.54
• Publication Date: 2024-02-27T13:17:10Z
• Authors: Kyung-Seok Na; Hyoung-Seok Yang; Won-Hee Hong; Jae-Hoon Kim
• Keywords: Abdominal cavity

A 12-year-old female small-clawed Asian otter (Anoyx cinereus) with a one-week history of anorexia, chills, and abdominal distension was found dead.Grossly, yellowish-brown turbid fluids accumulated in cavity the otter, yellowish thread-like fibrinous materials were on surface organs.Several variable sized yellowish-white crystalloids scattered medullary space kidneys.Histologically, diffuse serositis (peritonitis) characterized by exudates, thickened serosal capsule swelling mesothelial cells observed serosa liver, spleen, stomach, intestine.Multifocal necrosis, hemorrhage, infiltration macrophage, brown pigments presented liver.Isolated bacteria from ascites visceral white, smooth convex characteristic mousy odor blood agar plate.These confirmed as Pasteurella (P.) multocida type polymerase chain reaction analysis.Based gross examination, histopathologic findings bacterial experiments, this diagnosed severe peritonitis associated P. necrotic hepatitis.