Necropsy and histopathological findings of an Indian rock python (Python molurus Molurus) died of accidental traumatic shock: A case report

Abstract

A carcass of a male Indian rock python measuring about 4.25 meters in length and 25 kg in weight was presented to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar on 24.08.2011 for conducting necropsy examination. The history revealed motor vehicle crushing trauma (road accident) on the previous day at 4 P.M. Gross pathological findings revealed crushed wound behind the head and neck with exposed bone. Necropsy findings revealed lesions of lung areas that had ruptured and lead to massive external and internal hemorrhage. Liver and spleen was also crushed in. The air sacs were full of clotted blood and intestine had infestation of few round worms (Ophidascaris sp.) measuring about 4-5 inches in lengths and 2 plastic wires of approximately one and a half feet long. There was an enormous amount of clotted blood in the respiratory tract. Kidney and reproductive organs revealed no gross lesions. Histopathological examination of lungs, air sacs and liver revealed massive hemorrhagic lesions. On the basis of gross and histopathological findings it was diagnosed that death occurred due to cardio-pulmonary arrest (traumatic shock) as a result of massive blood loss due to rupture of venacava, major aorta, lungs and liver.