Lipoid pneumonia in the Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Abstract

Eight red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) out of 182 examined animals, either found dead or shot in Cuneo and Vercelli provinces (Italy) during 1993, showed pulmonary lesions characteristic of lipoid pneumonia. Histological examination showed an infiltration by vacuolated macrophages, containing sudanophilic material. Associated lesions were represented by bronchitis, localized emphysema and peribronchiolar aggregates of lymphoid nodules. The concomitant localized inflammatory process might be responsible for post-obstructive lipoid pneumonia.