MUCINOUS ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE OVARY AS A CAUSE OF ASCITES IN A GOAT

A 6-year-old Nubian doe was evaluated because of slowly progressive ab dominal enlargement of 1 month's duration. Five days prior to examinat ion at our hospital, the doe was examined by a local veterinarian. Fal se pregnancy was suspected, and 10 mg of prostaglandin F2 alpha was in jected IM. Abdominal distention did not decrease, and the doe did not develop a vaginal discharge. An additional 10 mg of prostaglandin and 24 mg of dexamethasone were injected IM, about 80 hours after the firs t injection, again without any apparent effect. On arrival at our hosp ital, the doe was in sternal recumbency and was too weak to stand unas sisted. its abdomen was distended. The body of the uterus and part of 1 uterine horn could be examined by means of transrectal ultrasonograp hy, both appeared normal. The doe was admitted to the hospital, but it s condition worsened, and it died during the night. Postmortem examina tion revealed approximately 30 L of clear, pale, straw-colored fluid i n the peritoneal cavity. The caudal pole of the left ovary contained a n indistinct, firm, slightly raised, gray-tan mass. The final diagnosi s was mucinous adenocarcinoma of the ovary metastatic to the partietal peritoneum, pericardium, and lungs. In adult female goats with bilate ral abdominal distention, hydrometra associated with false pregnancy s hould always be considered; however, if there is no response to prosta glandin administration, distention is more likely to be a result of as cites.