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What Is Septicernia??? (More inside..)

boavoyage Sep 26, 2003 03:02 PM

One of the boa I sold died. The buyer sent me a vet report, which states, "There is no evidence of inclusion body disease in these sections. Multiple large granulomas, comprising heterophlla, macrophages and bacteria of variable morphology, were present in the intestine and spleen. The presence of fibrin thrombi with the liver suggests a hypercoaguable state. Death appears to be the result of septicernia."
My questions are:
1) What is Septicernia?
2) What caused Septicernia?
3) Can you explain what causes the death of this snake from these science terminology?
Any input is greatly appreciated.

Replies (2)

Lunar-reptiles Sep 26, 2003 03:42 PM

Ok let's start with the breakdown.
"Multiple large granulomas, comprising heterophlla, macrophages and bacteria of variable morphology, were present in the intestine and spleen"

Granulomas are lesions (for lack of a better word). There can be many causes of granulomas. The most common causes are bacterial and parasitic infections. In this case it appears that the lesions contained bacteria and macrophages, which are part of the immune system.

"The presence of fibrin thrombi with the liver suggests a hypercoaguable state"

Fibrin Thrombi are blood clots in the liver. The hypercoagualble state means that the liver was making the blood clot at an extreme rate.

Septicemia is a large scale infection. It appears that the snake was suffering from a systemic (whole body) infection.

Paul Hollander Sep 27, 2003 12:02 PM

Here's a link to an on-line medical encyclopedia's entry for "septicemia". (Note the spelling--"m" instead of "rn". Not a flame, just to help with searches.) Good luck.

Paul Hollander

Septicemia

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