Bacterial Enterocolitis in Bears:

• Bacterial enterocolitis was considered to be the cause of death in an Ursus americanus - American black bear cub which was found dead. (J1.35.w5)

Pathology:

• Dehydrated carcass. (J1.35.w5)
• GIT: 
  • Stomach - empty except for brown granular material. (J1.35.w5)
  • Colon - Scant, liquid contents, melaena. (J1.35.w5)

Histopathology:

• GIT:
  • Intestines: moderate to severe autolysis. (J1.35.w5)
  • Severe ulcerative colitis. Mucosa absent, replaced by pyogenic granulation tissue, with neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes and plasma cells. Occasional macrophages contained phagocytosed bacteria. Inflammation extended to the serosa. (J1.35.w5)
• Hepatic: multifocal pyogranulomatous hepatitis, focal hepatocellular necrosis. (J1.35.w5)
  • Note: Cryptosporidium parvum and Baylisascaris transfuga were present in the intestines. See:
    • Baylisascaris Infection in Bears
    • Cryptosporidiosis in Mammals (with special reference to Hedgehogs, Elephants and Bears)

• History & Documentation
• Physical Examination of Mammals
• Necropsy of Mammals
• Environmental Assessment
• Treatment and Care
• Environmental and Population Management
• Chapter 2 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen Collection and Preservation
• Chapter 3 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen shipment
• Appendix A - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Sample specimen history form

• Bears (Ursidae - Bears (Family))
• Ursus americanus - American black bear

(List does not contain all other species groups affected by this infectious agent)