Clinical, ultrasonographic and postmortem findings in a goat with abscessation of the mesenteric lymph nodes

Abstract

This case report describes the clinical, ultrasonographic and pathological findings in a 4.5-year-old Grisons striped goat with abscessation of the mesenteric lymph nodes. The goat had a poor appetite, tense abdomen and reduced ruminal motility. There was neutrophilic leukocytosis, and a serological test for Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was positive. Abdominal ultrasonography in the right flank revealed multifocal, circular to oval masses with a diameter of 4–7 cm, heterogeneous content and irregular cavitation. Diagnostic laparotomy revealed multiple mesenteric abscesses. The goat was euthanised, and a diagnosis of severe, multifocal, purulent lymphadenitis involving the mesenteric lymph nodes was made. The onion-ring appearance of the abscesses and the creamy white to green pus suggested caseous lymphadenitis.