Mastocytemia in Dogs With Acute Inflammatory Diseases

Abstract

Nineteen dogs were identified that had mastocytemia (mast cells in venous blood samples) not associated with mast cell neoplasia. The first 10 dogs were identified by examination of blood films from dogs with suspected parvovirus enteritis (8), fibrinous pericarditis and pleuritis secondary to thoracic lacerations (1), and renal insufficiency of unknown cause (1). Because of the apparent association with acute enteritis, blood films from 52 suspected canine parvovirus cases were examined retrospectively and 8 mastocytemic dogs were found. An additional 52 canine blood films were randomly selected from the same retrospective time period and 1 mastocytemic dog was found that had pneumothorax, pelvic fractures, and hemorrhagic septic abdominal effusion secondary to renal hemorrhage and traumatized intestines. All mastocytemic dogs had acute inflammatory leukograms the day that mast cells were first detected: neutropenia with toxic neutrophils (4), neutropenia with a left shift (8), total neutrophil count within reference interval but with a left shift (5), or neutrophilia with a left shift (2). All dogs except the renal insufficiency case had circulating toxic neutrophils. Five dogs were mastocytemic on more than 1 day. The pathogenesis of the mastocytemia associated with the acute inflammatory disease was not determined.

Evaluation of surgical margins required for complete excision of cutaneous mast cell tumors in dogs

“…Prior to surgery, the following evaluations were performed on selected dogs: thoracic radiography (n = 4); abdominal radiography (1); abdominal ultrasonography (13); and cytologic examination of aspirate specimens of spleen or liver (4), bone marrow (19), local lymph node (2), and a buffy coat smear (1). No evidence of metastatic disease was noted on radiographs or ultrasound images, and no mast cells were detected on those cytologic examinations.…”

“…Several prognostic factors have been evaluated, but the histologic grade of the tumor appears to be the most important. [12][13][14] Although there are several treatment options for affected dogs, surgery is the treatment of choice for cutaneous MCTs that are located in areas amenable to wide excision. 2,[4][5][6] Mast cell leukemia can develop, although it is rare and not pathognomonic for systemic spread of an MCT.…”

Splenic mast cell tumour and mastocytaemia in a cat: case study and literature review

“…This study found no mast cells in the buffy-coat smears of 56 dogs deemed to be free of systemic illness, and it was concluded that the presence of mast cells in circulation should be considered strong evidence of systemic spread of disease. The presence of mast cells in peripheral blood is not pathognomic for systemic mast cell disease, however, as mast cells may be found in the peripheral blood of dogs with severe, acute inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract and thoracic cavity (Stockham et al, 1986) and in dogs with inflammatory skin diseases (Cayatte et al, 1995). Mastocytaemia associated with inflammatory conditions in cats has not been documented to our knowledge.…”

Evaluation of buffy coat smears for circulating mast cells in healthy cats and ill cats without mast cell tumor–related disease

“…[10][11][12] The lack of specificity of detection of mastocytemia to reflect MCTs in dogs makes its use as a screening or tumor staging tool of little value in that species. However, in ill dogs with a wide range of diseases that were not associated with MCTs, mastocytemia was detected via buffy coat smear examination.…”