Mineralization of the aorta in a bovine carcass
The carcass was cachectic with generalized edema, especially evident in muscle and viscera associated fat. The aorta showed, in its thoracic portion, an intense thickening and hardening of the wall.
Histopathologicaly this lesion consisted of a mineralization of the vessel wall.
The edemas are evidence of a serous atrophy of the adipose tissue. Along with the cachexia it is indicative of a pathological state of malnutrition. The lesion of the aorta is a methastatic mineralization, as a result of a hypercalcemic state. In cattle this condition can occur in different situations:
- Intoxication with vitamin D analogues (present in some plants such as Solanaceae: Solanum malacoxylon, S. torvum and also in some rodenticides).
- Paratuberculosis: the fact that the animal is cachectic fits with a diagnostic of paratuberculosis, a wasting disease. The portal lymph node was histopathologically studied but no microscopic lesions were observed that allowed confirmation of this diagnosis. The postmortem inspection of the intestines showed no compatible macroscopical lesions.
- Secondary hyperparathyroidism due to a diet low in calcium, intestinal malabsorption or renal failure.
Other less likely causes could be a primary hyperparathyroidism or hypercalcemia secondary to the presence of a malignant neoplasm.
horacic portion of the aorta cut longitudinally. The wall is thickened and hardened and has an irregular endothelial surface.
Markedly wasted carcass.
The carcass showed widespread edema and serous atrophy of adipous tissue.
