Gross path - general

Question 1

name 6 common AGONAL changes

Answer 1

1. passive congestion - CV failure and reduced venous rtn
2. pulm oedema - inc i.v pressure
3. pulm alveolar emphysema - laboured ‘active’ breaths
4. regurgitation in cattle, sheep
5. haemorrhage - rumin and horse = endo and epicardium; horse = adrenal g; pancreas = dog
6. intususception = easily pulled out as no fibrin adhesion though

Question 2

name 6 PM changes

Answer 2

1. colour - hypostatic congestion = red; HB-imbition = staining; bile stain; H2S + Hb = blue-black
2. texture - corneal opacity, gas form, softening, drying - mummification
3. putrefaction - 4-10 d PM. bacterial prolif and air pockets
4. PM clots - chicken fat (sediment in LA usually) and red currant jelly
5. tissue detatchment
6. PM carcase damage

Question 3

what changes can euthanasia cause?

Answer 3

barbituate –> crystals on smooth surfaces (serosa)

necrosis of parenchyma where injected

Question 4

desc the process of rigor mortis

Answer 4

at 6-8hrs PM –> reduced ATP –> cant undo cross-bridges = stiff muscles
1-2d after rigor broken by autolysis

Question 5

name some factors which effect autolysis

Answer 5

ambient temp
temp of body at death
time
tissue of origin - some faster (pancreas++)
natural bacterial flora

Question 6

what is ‘autolysis’

Answer 6

cell degredation, release of lysozymes which cause proteolysis