Traumatic reticulopericarditis in a Saanen goat

Abstract

An unusual case of reticulopericarditis traumatica complicated with pythorax in a Saanen goat is described. Grossly, ascitic fluid accumulation, pyothorax, disseminated abscesses in the liver, spleen and lung, and severe fibrinopurulent exudation in the pericardial sac were observed. A needle syringe, 6 cm in length, was found within the fibrous tissue extending from the pericardial sac to the diaphragm and the anteroventral part of the reticulum. Microscopically, liver, spleen, and lung sections revealed variably sized abscesses surrounded by a wide zone of fibroblast proliferations and connective tissue capsule. Severe fibrous tissue reaction, accumulation of degenerated polymorph nuclear leucocytes, macrophages, and diffuse fibrin fibres were seen in the pericardial sac and epicardium. Occurrence of reticulopericarditis traumatica in small ruminants, especially in goats, is rare and hence is reported here.