Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Penguin with cloacolith blockage later found to have intestinal cancer
By Jones, Krista L et al.·Published in Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians·2014·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cloacolithiasis and intestinal lymphosarcoma in an African black-footed penguin (Spheniscus demersus).
Plain-English summary
A 13-year-old male African black-footed penguin was brought in multiple times over seven months for gastrointestinal blockage caused by cloacolithiasis, which is a blockage from hardened feces. Each time, the penguin felt better after the blockage was removed and supportive care was given. However, ten months later, the penguin returned with similar symptoms and significant weight loss. Unfortunately, this time no blockage was found, and the penguin later died. The cause of death was determined to be intestinal lymphosarcoma (a type of cancer) that had spread to the liver and kidneys, along with severe bacterial infection and intestinal rupture.
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Abstract
A 13-yr-old male African black-footed penguin (Spheniscus demersus) presented thrice over 7 mo with gastrointestinal obstruction secondary to cloacolithiasis. Clinical signs consistently resolved with cloacolith removal and supportive care. However, 10 mo after initial presentation, it presented with similar signs, plus significant weight loss. No cloacolith was found, and it subsequently died. Significant gross findings included bilateral cecal masses, colonic perforation, and marked secondary coelomitis, multifocal tan to pale hepatic nodules, and pale kidneys with miliary white foci. Histopathologic diagnoses were intestinal lymphosarcoma with hepatic and renal metastases, secondary intestinal rupture, and subacute severe bacterial coelomitis. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first full report of either cloacolithiasis or lymphosarcoma in a penguin.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25000718/