Post-Mortem Lesions

The blood is pale and watery, the tissues
anemic and pale. The liver is found enlarged,
showing on its exterior a number of raised


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32 DISEASES OF RABBITS


whitish-yellow nodules varying in size from
that of a millet seed to that of a peanut. Asa
rule the whole organ is involved, but in some
cases only one lobe may be affected. On sec-
tion of the liver the nodules are found to be dis-
tributed throughout the hepatic parenchyma,
sometimes to such an extent that there is very
little left of the liver substance. The nodules
contain a whitish, purulent fluid in which are
found coccidia, degenerated epithelial cells, fat
and crystals of cholesterin. The nodules are, in
fact, simply dilatations of the bile ducts. The
lumen of the bile ducts may be crowded with
coccidia in various stages of development,
broken down cells and leukocytes. The epithe-
lium of the ducts is found to be invaded with
the parasites and the submucosa infiltrated
with small round cells. Occasionally the gall
bladder is also invaded, causing thickening of
its walls and damage to the cells of its lining
epithelium. In very chronic cases the liver may
become completely cirrhosed with large cyst-
like cavities which are the remains of degener-
ated and obliterated bile ducts.
In the intestine the mucous membrane is
found studded with nodules of punctiform ap-
pearance, and in a state of catarrhal inflamma-
tion, covered with an exudate and showing
small areas of ulceration. The exudate con-
tains coccidia, degenerated epithelial cells and


COCCIDIOSIS 33


fat globules. The submucosa is in a state of
inflammation and round-celled infiltration, and
may contain coccidia. Immature coccidia may
also be found in the mesenteric glands.
