2.1 Post-mortem Findings
Post-mortem examination was performed the day following euthanasia and marked autolysis was noted. The articular facets of the vertebrae were multifocally deformed, with irregularly contoured surfaces with areas of collapse and fibrillation or roughening of the joint surfaces. The underlying cartilage was often irregularly thickened and he was diagnosed with vertebral osteochondrosis dessicans (OCD). The articular facets at the level of the L4-L5 intervertebral joint were most severely affected, with similar lesions at the L5-L6, L3-L4, and C1-C2 intervertebral joints. The spinal canal contained an increased amount of reddish-yellow cerebrospinal fluid while the adipose tissue surrounding the spinal cord appeared gelatinous around the cauda equina presumptively from edema. Osteochondrosis dissecans was also found in the intermediate ridges of the right and left tibias.