Table 2.
Summary of gross and histological findings recorded in 28 otters found dead in southern Italy.
| PM Examination | Findings | Number of Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Ectoparasites | Ixodes spp. | 3 |
| Cardio-pulmonary parasites | Dirofilaria immitis adult | 1 |
| Metastrongyloid larvae L1 | 1 | |
| Intestinal helminthes | Capillaria spp. eggs | 1 |
| Contracaecum spp. adults | 1 | |
| External lesions | Otter bite wounds | 4 |
| Dog bite wounds | 1 | |
| Lead shots | 1 | |
| Dental and oral lesions | Fractured canines | 8 |
| Damaged/missing incisors | 3 | |
| Dental malocclusion | 3 | |
| Mucosal lesions associated with malocclusion | 1 | |
| Dental caries | 2 | |
| Periodontitis and palatal stomatitis | 1 | |
| Suspected osteomyelitis with bone loss due to chronic periodontitis | 1 | |
| Cardiovascular system | Left atrial appendage rupture | 1 |
| Respiratory system | Adiaspiromycosis | 1 |
| Mineralized granulomas (unknown etiology) |
3 | |
| Fibrino-purulent pleuropneumonia | 1 | |
| Foreign material without lesions | 1 | |
| Mineralization foci in tracheal and bronchial cartilages | 13 | |
| Alimentary system | Ulcerative gastritis | 1 |
| Erosions of gastric mucosa | 1 | |
| Chronic peritonitis with multifocal adhesions | 1 | |
| Urinary system | Multifocal tubular necrosis with dystrophic calcification | 3 |
| Spleen | Nodular lymphoid proliferation | 1 |
| Lymph nodes | Multicentric lymphoma | 1 |
| Reactive lymphadenopathy | 1 | |
| Endocrine system | Nodular adrenal hyperplasia | 5 |
| Lymphoid infiltrations in enlarged adrenal glands | 1 |