A male beluga calf initially presented at 132 days of age with hematologic and serum chemistries indicative of an infectious process. This calf had a previous history of a dystoic birth' which resulted in a 14 cm tear in the tissue dorsal to the insertion of the left pectoral flipper. The calf appeared to recover without incident showing normal growth and development. On initial presentation on February 3, 1994, the most significant clinicopathological data consisted of an elevated white blood cell (WBC) count, with 2 percent immature neutrophils, and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The animal was placed on oral antibiotics and antifungals. The calves clinicopathologic condition continued to deteriorate, while behaviorally he appeared strong, was nursing well and continued to gain weight. Antibiotics were changed and he appeared to stabilize and improve by February 28, 1994. His ESR returned to near normal levels by April 11, 1994.

A tentative diagnosis of nocardiosis was made based on the chronicity of the disease and because Nocardia spp. had been isolated from two animals located in the same pool. Of these, one was a calf of similar age that had died from a systemic nocardial infection and the other was an adult animal which had been diagnosed with cutaneous nocardiosis.

Over the course of the next several months, the calf was intermittently placed on various combinations of antimicrobials as hematologic and clinical changes indicated recrudescence of his condition. By November 28, 1994, the 207 kg calf had again become inappetant, and mildly lethargic as suggested by his lack of mobility. He presented an elevated total WBC (neutrophilia with a left shift, and monocytosis), an elevated ESR, and decreased alkaline phosphatase. Ultrasonography revealed no significant thoracic lesions. Despite antibiotic therapy his condition continued to deteriorate to the extent that he appeared unable or unwilling to swim. He was observed on December 30, 1994 to be unable to use his flukes normally. Most of his swimming was done using his pectoral flippers. By February 13, 1995, his weigh had dropped to 184 kg., there had been no hematologic improvement, his movements were limited to pectoral motion, and his respiration's were beginning to climb. As a result of his deteriorating condition and apparent musculoskeletal or neurologic deficits he was euthanized on February 16, 1995.

Gross necropsy revealed firm and meaty lungs, chronic, suppurative osteomyelitis of T10-L1, liquefactive necrosis of the spinal chord at T10-1,1, and lymph node enlargement throughout the abdominal and thoracic cavities. Microbiological cultures from the spinal lesion and lungs grew pure Nocardia spp. Diagnosis of a chronic Nocardia spp. induced suppurative osteomyelitis, myelomalacia and pneumonia was made.