Forensic cases of starved dogs: Novel histologic-morphometric and immunohistochemical tools for atrophy assessment

Abstract

Abstract Starvation, the involuntary loss of body mass, is one of the main causes of dog death related to animal abuse. Nevertheless, the mechanisms beyond tissue atrophy are not well understood. Dog forensic cases with a final diagnosis of starvation (n = 13), referred to [to be included after acceptance] between 2014 and 2021, were included in our study. These dogs had a body condition score (BCS) of 1 (38.4%) or 2 (61.6%) over 9 according to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). Five dogs (BCS 5/9) that died due to other forensic causes were used as controls. The mechanisms underlying atrophy were studied by means of a histologic-morphometric and an immunohistochemical study (Ki-67 and caspase-3) of the spleen, liver, testis, stomach, and duodenum. Gross and histologic findings suggested tissue atrophy in all our starved dogs. Histologic-morphometric study confirmed atrophy in liver, spleen, testis, and duodenum; and increased gastric mucosal thickness in starved dogs. Ki-67 immunohistochemistry displayed fewer dividing cells in spleen, testis, stomach, and duodenum of starved dogs respect to controls. Caspase-3 immunostaining revealed an increased percentage of apoptotic cells in the spleen and testis of the starved group. These investigations contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of starvation in dog abuse cases. To conclude, the combination of gross, histologic, histologic-morphometric, and immunohistochemical methods should be considered for the diagnosis and confirmation of tissue atrophy in forensic cases of animal abuse.