Ultrasonographic findings in two sheep with enzootic calcinosis

Abstract

This report describes 2 sheep with enzootic calcinosis characterized by abnormal cardiovascular and respiratory findings and ascites causing abdominal distension. Both sheep were anorexic and listless and had increased heart and respiratory rates. Auscultation of the heart revealed a gallop rhythm in sheep 1 and a loud systolic heart murmur in sheep 2. The activities of liver enzymes were severely increased in both sheep. Abdominal ultrasonography showed severe ascites and congestion of the liver and caudal vena cava. Echocardiography in sheep 2 showed hyperechoic and markedly thickened mitral and aortic valves with moderate-severe mitral insufficiency and generalized cardiomegaly. Both sheep were euthanized and examined postmortem. In addition to ascites and pleural effusion, the principal lesions were nodular thickening of the heart valves and calcification of the aorta and other arteries. Nutrition of the sheep did not include hay pellets, but the sheep were kept together with alpacas and lamas and had access to the hay pellets of these animals. In addition visitors were allowed to feed the sheep with hay pellets offered by the zoo in a dispenser. The two types of hay pellets had Vit D concentrations of 9'900 IU VitD3/kg and 7'000 IU Vit D2/kg, respectively. The definitive diagnosis was enzootic calcinosis. SummaryThis report describes 2 sheep with enzootic calcinosis characterized by abnormal cardiovascular and respiratory findings and ascites causing abdominal distension. Both sheep were anorexic and listless and had increased heart and respiratory rates. Auscultation of the heart revealed a gallop rhythm in sheep 1 and a loud systolic heart murmur in sheep 2. The activities of liver enzymes were severely increased in both sheep. Abdominal ultrasonography showed severe ascites and congestion of the liver and caudal vena cava. Echocardiography in sheep 2 showed hyperechoic and markedly thickened mitral and aortic valves with moderate-severe mitral insufficiency and generalized cardiomegaly. Both sheep were euthanized and examined postmortem. In addition to ascites and pleural effusion, the principal lesions were nodular thickening of the heart valves and calcification of the aorta and other arteries. Nutrition of the sheep did not include hay pellets, but the sheep were kept together with alpacas and lamas and had access to the hay pellets of these animals. In addition visitors were allowed to feed the sheep with hay pellets offered by the zoo in a dispenser. The two types of hay pellets had Vit D concentrations of 9'900 IU VitD3/kg and 7'000 IU Vit D2/kg, respectively. The definitive diagnosis was enzootic calcinosis.

Mitral Kissing Vegetation and Acquired Aortic Valve Stenosis Secondary to Infectious Endocarditis in a Goat with Suppurative Mastitis

“…Calcific degeneration of the aortic valve is the most common cause of acquired aortic stenosis in humans [ 6 ]. Calcification of cardiac valves, aortic endothelium and cardiac muscle with marked enlargement and vegetation-like structures in cardiac valves have been reported in goats, sheep and horses with enzootic calcinosis [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]. However, in our case there were few clinical signs, radiographic or ultrasonographic changes compatible with enzootic calcinosis.…”

“…Mitral kissing vegetation has not been previously described in animal species. Acquired valvular obstruction, however, most commonly occurs secondary to calcific degeneration in human beings and enzootic calcinosis in animals [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Acquired valvular stenosis due to infective endocarditis is uncommon in animals and has not been described in goats.…”

Toxic Wasting Disorders in Sheep

“…Sheep grazing calcinogenic plants develop a progressive debilitating disease with widespread mineralization of soft tissues called enzootic calcinosis. The main species of calcinogenic plants that affect sheep are Cestrum diurnum in southern United States [7], Trisetum flavescens in Bavarian and Austrian Alps [96,97], Solanum malacoxylon (Figure 3A) in Argentina and Uruguay [98], Solanum escuriali in Australia [99], Solanum verbascifolium in South Africa [100], Nierembergia veitchii in Brazil [101,102], and Nierembergia repens and Nierembergia rivularis in Uruguay [103]. In some countries such as Israel, India and Central Western Brazil, outbreaks caused by undetermined calcinogenic plants occurred in sheep [98,104].…”

“…As the renal metastatic calcification progresses, there is an increase in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine on serum chemistry analyses. Radiology may aid in revealing calcification in several organs, including the vascular walls of the limbs [79,96].…”

“…Increased respiratory rate, abdominal distension due to ascites, and reduced rumen motility are also described. Death generally occurs after a protracted clinical course [96,[102][103][104]. The majority of these signs are related to hypercalcemia and subsequent soft tissue calcification.…”