Extensive cutaneous metastases in a dog with duodenal adenocarcinoma

Computed tomographic findings and clinical features in dogs with canine cutaneous lymphoma: 10 cases (2007-2018)

OBJECTIVE

To report clinical features, CT findings, treatment protocols, and outcomes for dogs in which canine cutaneous lymphoma (CCL) was diagnosed.

ANIMALS

10 client-owned dogs with CCL.

PROCEDURES

Medical records of dogs in which a diagnosis of CCL had been made between September 2007 and July 2018 and in which CT had been performed prior to treatment were reviewed. All available CT studies were reviewed, and an anatomical reference system was developed to map observed lesions. Treatment protocols and patient outcomes were summarized.

RESULTS

14 CT examinations were performed on the 10 dogs, and 9 dogs had lesions consistent with CCL on CT images. Nodular lesions were present in 8 dogs, and cutaneous or subcutaneous mass lesions were seen in 3. Well-defined, diffusely distributed, contrast-enhancing, cutaneous or subcutaneous nodules were most common; mass lesions were more variable in appearance. Nine dogs had lymphadenopathy, with the mandibular and axillary lymph nodes most commonly affected. Four dogs had confirmed nodal involvement, and 4 had confirmed visceral involvement. Nine dogs received treatment with chemotherapy, and 5 had a complete response.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results indicated that dogs with CCL may have a wide spectrum of CT findings. Many of these lesions, including affected lymph nodes, would be unlikely to be detected clinically, suggesting that CT may be a useful modality to assess the severity of disease and for guiding selection of local versus systemic treatment.

Retrospective study of canine cutaneous tumors in Japan, 2008-2017

Cutaneous tumors are commonly found in dogs. To date, few studies have investigated the epidemiology of canine cutaneous tumors in Asian countries. The present study aims to report the prevalence of canine cutaneous tumors in Japan, and assess the association of breed, age, sex, and anatomical locations with the development of common tumor types. A total of 1,435 cases of cutaneous tumors were examined, of which 813 (56.66%) cases were malignant, and 622 (43.34%) were benign. Soft tissue sarcomas (18.40%), mast cell tumor (16.24%), lipoma (9.69%), hair follicle tumors (9.34%), and benign sebaceous tumors (8.50%) outnumbered the other tumor types. Tumors were commonly found on the head (13.87%), hindlimb (10.52%), forelimb (8.01%), chest (5.78%), and neck (5.57%). The risk of developing cutaneous tumors increased significantly in dogs aged 11-year and above (P<0.001). Mixed-breed dogs (14.63%), Miniature Dachshund (9.90%), and Labrador Retriever (8.01%) were the three most presented breeds; while Boxer, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Golden Retriever had an increased risk of cutaneous tumor development in comparison to mixed-breed dogs (P<0.05). Epidemiological information from the present study will serve as a useful reference for regional veterinarians to establish a preliminary diagnosis of canine cutaneous tumors.

Neoplastic pleocytosis in a dog with metastatic mammary carcinoma and meningeal carcinomatosis

A 12-year-old female spayed Labrador Retriever was presented with a history of seizures and abnormal vocalization. Approximately 1 year before presentation, multiple mammary cysts had been surgically excised. A mammary mass was noted on physical examination, and 2 separate parenchymal brain lesions were found on imaging studies. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from the cisterna magna was analyzed, and abnormalities included moderate pleocytosis with atypical discrete round cells that occasionally formed loose clusters. The dog was euthanized, and on necropsy a primary solid mammary carcinoma was identified as well as multiple metastatic foci in the brain with diffuse meningeal involvement. The cells in the CSF had a morphologic appearance similar to the cells in the primary mammary tumor and in the metastatic tumors in the brain. On immunostaining, cells from the primary mammary tumor, the brain tumors, and the CSF expressed cytokeratin. The CSF cells did not express CD18, CD3, or CD79a. A final diagnosis of mammary carcinoma with brain metastasis and meningeal carcinomatosis was made.

Emesis in dogs: a review

Emesis is a common presenting sign in small animal practice. It requires a rational approach to management that is based upon a sound understanding of pathophysiology combined with logical decision making. This review, which assesses the weight of available evidence, outlines the physiology of the vomiting reflex, causes of emesis, the consequences of emesis and the approach to clinical management of the vomiting dog. The applicability of diagnostic testing modalities and the merit of traditional approaches to management, such as dietary changes, are discussed. The role and usefulness of both traditional and novel anti-emetic drugs is examined, including in specific circumstances such as following cytotoxic drug treatment. The review also examines areas in which common clinical practice is not necessarily supported by objective evidence and, as such, highlights questions worthy of further clinical research.

Gastric mucinous adenocarcinoma with cutaneous metastases in a dog: diagnosis by fine-needle aspiration cytology

A 12-year-old, intact, male mixed-breed dog was presented with anorexia, vomiting and multiple cutaneous nodules on its neck, trunk and hindlimbs. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the nodules was characterised by a pleomorphic population of cells arranged singly or in small cohesive clusters, embedded in an amorphous mucinous material stained positive by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). Acinar structures were occasionally found. Cells appeared either small with scant basophilic cytoplasm or large with a histiocytic appearance. Large cells had cytoplasm filled with a PAS-positive granular material. A presumptive diagnosis of cutaneous metastases of a mucinous adenocarcinoma was made. A primary, gastric, signet-ring mucinous adenocarcinoma was confirmed at postmortem examination and by histopathology. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a gastric mucinous adenocarcinoma with cutaneous disseminated metastases in a dog.