Paraparesis in a Golden Retriever

Abstract

A 7-year-old female spayed Golden Retriever dog presented with fever and a 10-day history of neurological signs, including ambulatory paraparesis and pelvic limb ataxia. Neurological examination initially revealed a T3-L3 myelopathy. Thoracic radiographs revealed a diffuse miliary pulmonary pattern. Endotracheal washes and fine-needle aspirates from several organs aimed at identifying a potential infectious agent or neoplastic process were all unsuccessful. Due to worsening of the clinical signs, euthanasia was elected. Necropsy findings included multifocal, pale to dark red, firm nodules infiltrating the lungs, heart, mesentery, pancreas, small intestine, brain, and spinal cord. Cytological examination of impression smears obtained from the pulmonary nodules during necropsy revealed clusters of epithelioid cells admixed with fewer spindle cells, erythrocytes, and scattered leukocytes. Clinical signs and cytological findings initially suggested the possibility of a widespread granulomatous disease or a metastatic epithelial neoplasm as possible clinical differentials in this case. The final diagnosis was based on the gross and histological findings, with confirmation following histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. Keywords canine neoplasia, epithelioid cells, factor VIII, immunohistochemistry History, Clinical, and Pathological FindingsA 7-year-old female spayed Golden Retriever dog was referred to the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital with fever and a 10-day history of neurological deficits. Initial neurological examination revealed a T3-L3 myelopathy characterized by progressive paraparesis and symmetrical pelvic limb ataxia, with delayed postural reaction in the pelvic limbs. Thoracic radiographs evidenced a diffuse miliary pulmonary pattern suggestive of fungal pneumonia or metastatic neoplasia. Endotracheal washes and fine-needle aspirates from lungs, liver, spleen, and peripheral lymph nodes were unsuccessful in detecting a potential infectious agent or neoplasia. A complete blood count, chemistry profile, urinalysis, and abdominal ultrasound were also performed and did not reveal any significant changes. Serology and polymerase chain reaction of blood and urine samples were also negative for potential fungal organisms. Euthanasia was elected shortly after presentation due to rapid clinical deterioration, with severe dyspnea, decompensatory hypoxemia, and worsening of neurological signs, which progressed to include a right thoracic limb nerve root signature characterized by a toe-touching lameness. Necropsy findings included multifocal, dark red, firm, 3 to 5 mm in diameter, homogeneous nodules expanding the lungs (Fig. 1), heart, mesentery, pancreas, small intestinal serosa, brain, and cervical and thoracic spinal cord. The pericardial sac contained 25 ml of serosanguineous fluid and was focally adhered to a dark red, firm, 3 cm in diameter, irregular nodule arising from the right auricle (Fig. 2). The myocardium was also infiltrated by similar masses (Fig. 2). Cytological exam...

MRI features of canine hemangiosarcoma affecting the central nervous system

“…It is common in dogs and comprises up to 5–7% of non‐cutaneous primary malignant neoplasms and 12–21% of all mesenchymal neoplasms 2,3 . Typical primary sites in dogs include the spleen, liver, and right atrium, but it can arise from any vascularised tissue 4,5 . Visceral hemangiosarcoma is characterized by its aggressive behavior with rapid and widespread metastasis to the lungs, liver, peritoneum, and central nervous system (CNS) through the hematogenous route 4 …”

“…2,3 Typical primary sites in dogs include the spleen, liver, and right atrium, but it can arise from any vascularised tissue. 4,5 Visceral hemangiosarcoma is characterized by its aggressive behavior with rapid and widespread metastasis to the lungs, liver, peritoneum, and central nervous system (CNS) through the hematogenous route. 4 At the time of presentation and based on a post-mortem study, 80% of dogs have metastases to distant organs and, in 14.2% of the cases, metastasis affects the brain.…”

Spinal cord haemangiosarcoma in one dog - Case report

“…In our case, we found no evidence of a primary tumour in the other organs. Aschenbroich et al (2014) described a visceral and disseminated haemangiosarcoma in a paraparetic golden retriever with involvement of the spinal cord, heart, and lungs (Aschenbroich et al 2014). In most cases, the coexistence of neoplasms in multiple organs makes it difficult to distinguish between a multicentric or metastatic process.…”