We evaluated skeletal remains of five blue arctic foxes from St. Paul Island, Pribilof Islands, Alaska. All five had been found dead. Cleared skeletal remains were examined visually and by magnification or backlighting where necessary. Pathological features were described and photographed. Results suggested that more than one disorder may have occurred in these foxes, with primary observations being demineralizing and/or proliferation. Most prominently affected were the skull, maxillae, mandibles, pelvis, long bones, and major diarthrodial joints. It was critically important to recognize certain other pathological features that can be observed on many or most fox skeletal remains but are unlikely to relate to conditions that demineralize bone or cause overt bone loss, multifocal loss of joint architecture, or severe multifocal periarticular boney proliferation. The differential diagnosis of canid skeletal demineralizing includes primary and secondary (nutritional or renal) hyperparathyroidism. Boney proliferation has a wider differential spectrum that can include hypervitaminosis A, osteomyelitis, abnormalities related to inbreeding, and environmental toxicosis. In our view, given the lack of soft tissue for histological evaluation and biochemical analysis, a well-considered differential diagnosis is an appropriate scientific point of conclusion. In the many similar circumstances that would require additional studies for valid definitive diagnosis during life, investigators should review relevant literature and consider the value of well-structured differential diagnosis, as contrasted with more speculative definitive diagnoses.

中文翻译：

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来自阿拉斯加普里比洛夫群岛圣保罗岛的五只蓝狐 (Vulpes lagopus) 的骨骼遗骸：鉴别诊断的观点

我们评估了来自阿拉斯加普里比洛夫群岛圣保罗岛的 5 只蓝北极狐的骨骼遗骸。五人都被发现死亡。目视检查清除的骨骼残骸，并在必要时通过放大或背光进行检查。描述病理特征并拍照。结果表明，这些狐狸可能发生了不止一种疾病，主要观察结果是脱矿质和/或增殖。最显着受影响的是颅骨、上颌骨、下颌骨、骨盆、长骨和主要的手关节。认识到可以在许多或大多数狐狸骨骼遗骸上观察到但不太可能与骨骼脱矿或导致明显骨质流失、关节结构多灶性丧失、或严重的多灶性关节周围骨增生。犬科动物骨骼脱矿的鉴别诊断包括原发性和继发性（营养性或肾性）甲状旁腺功能亢进。骨增殖具有更广泛的差异范围，包括维生素 A 过多症、骨髓炎、与近亲繁殖相关的异常和环境中毒。在我们看来，鉴于缺乏用于组织学评估和生化分析的软组织，经过深思熟虑的鉴别诊断是一个适当的科学结论。在许多类似的情况下，需要额外的研究才能在生命中进行有效的明确诊断，研究人员应查阅相关文献并考虑结构良好的鉴别诊断的价值，与更具推测性的明确诊断相比。犬科动物骨骼脱矿的鉴别诊断包括原发性和继发性（营养性或肾性）甲状旁腺功能亢进。骨增殖具有更广泛的差异范围，包括维生素 A 过多症、骨髓炎、与近亲繁殖相关的异常和环境中毒。在我们看来，鉴于缺乏用于组织学评估和生化分析的软组织，经过深思熟虑的鉴别诊断是一个适当的科学结论。在许多类似的情况下，需要额外的研究才能在生命中进行有效的明确诊断，研究人员应查阅相关文献并考虑结构良好的鉴别诊断的价值，与更具推测性的明确诊断相比。犬科动物骨骼脱矿的鉴别诊断包括原发性和继发性（营养性或肾性）甲状旁腺功能亢进。骨增殖具有更广泛的差异范围，包括维生素 A 过多症、骨髓炎、与近亲繁殖相关的异常和环境中毒。在我们看来，鉴于缺乏用于组织学评估和生化分析的软组织，经过深思熟虑的鉴别诊断是一个适当的科学结论。在许多类似的情况下，需要额外的研究才能在生命中进行有效的明确诊断，研究人员应查阅相关文献并考虑结构良好的鉴别诊断的价值，与更具推测性的明确诊断相比。