Metaplasia cartilaginosa en aurícula derecha de ovino, atribuible al consumo de Trisetum flavescens

The case of a 2.5-year-old sheep sent for diagnostic evaluation is presented. At the necropsy, mucoid degeneration of coronary fat, pleural adhesions, hypostatic congestion, hemoperitoneum, reticulum, rumen, omasum, and abomasum distention were found. The most significant finding was the whitish, hard-to-touch appearance of the right atrium. The atrial sample was decalcified for sectioning and histopathology study. The histology of the section performed revealed: extensive areas of cartilaginous metaplasia, swelling, and undulation of cardiac muscle fibers, fatty infiltration between cardiac fibers, as well as figures compatible with Sarcocystis . The clinical chemistry indicated hyperphosphatemia and hypermagnesemia. According to the process for the sheep diagnostic evaluation, cartilaginous metaplasia of the right atrium, associated with the ingestion of Trisetum flavescens was found. In the different animal species, the probability of progressive poisoning from the consumption of toxic plants is a risk that can occur in any animal production system. This study describes the clinical case of a sheep that, according to background and data provided by the owner, had been ingesting Trisetum flavescens and showed clinical signs of decay, among others; the most evident lesions in the macro and microscopic study were associated with cartilaginous metaplasia of the right atrium, a condition that highlights the risk of consuming plants, which may contain a variety of substances that can affect and deteriorate the health of different herbivorous domestic species.