Student Case Presentation
Unilateral Exophthalmos and Purulent Ocular Discharge in a 6 Year Old Wagyu x Angus Bull
| Date/Time: |
8/27/2026 Poster 17
|
| Presenter: |
Alyssa Otto |
| Veterinary School: |
TAM |
Abstract:
A 6-year-old Wagyu-Black Angus cross bull presented for a severely bulging, swollen, and infected right eye of approximately 2 weeks’ duration that was progressively worsening. Physical examination abnormalities of the right eye included proptosis, a retracted and necrotic ventral palpebra, purulent discharge, and a desiccated cornea and conjunctiva. Primary differentials were trauma with secondary infection, ocular squamous cell carcinoma, and retrobulbar abscess. Based on the extensive damage to the eye, it was determined that chute-side exenteration and submission of tissues for histopathology were the best course to provide relief and an accurate long-term prognosis. The right globe and its ocular adnexa were submitted in formalin for histopathology. The bull was discharged 1 day after surgery, having received flunixin meglumine, oxytetracycline, and an 8-way clostridial vaccine. Approximately 5 days post-discharge, the surgical pathology service reported a diffuse infiltration of the periocular tissue with round cell neoplasm and diagnosed B-cell lymphoma associated with bovine leukemia virus. The bull was returned for euthanasia 2 weeks after surgery because of purulent discharge at the incision site and a declining quality of life. Post-mortem findings confirmed disseminated lymphosarcoma, with infiltration of the left retrobulbar tissues, lymph nodes, spleen, small and large intestines, abomasum, lungs, cervical and lumbar spinal nerve roots, and seminal vesicles. This case demonstrates the value of histopathologic examination of surgically removed ocular tissues suspicious of neoplasia. Although the lesions of this bull seemed indicative of squamous cell carcinoma or trauma with secondary infection, which are both more common, they actually were due to lymphosarcoma infiltration of the retrobulbar lymphatics. Without the additional diagnostics performed on the tissue, the presence of bovine leukemia virus in this herd would have been missed.
