Multiple myeloma in a dog

This paper describes a case of multiple myeloma in a 3-year-old mongrel bitch. The diagnosis was established by histopathological examination of post-mortem material. The tumour formed nodular masses on the fourth left rib and third and fourth lumbar vertebrae; it also involved the sternal lymph nodes, spleen, liver and kidneys. Demonstration of amyloid deposits in the kidney was inconclusive.
Résumé. Observation d'un cas de myélome multiple chez une chienne bâtarde de 3 ans. Le diagnostic a été fait d'après les données histopathologiques après autopsie. La tumeur formait des masses nodulaires au niveau de la 4éme côte gauche et des vertèbres L 3 et L 4; elle intéressait aussi les ganglions lymphatiques parasternaux, la rate, le foier et les reins. La présence de dépôts amyloïdes dans le rein n'apportait aucun renseignement complémentaire.
Zusammenfassung. Diese Abhandlung beschreibt einen Fall von multiplem Myelom bei einer 3 Jahre alten Bastardhündin. Die Diagnose beruhte auf der histopathologischen Untersuchung von Autopsiematerial. Der Tumor bildete nodulare Massen an der vierten Rippe links und am dritten und vierten Lendenwirbel; er involvierte auch die sternalen Lymphknoten, Milz, Leber und Nieren. Der Nachweis von Amyloidablagerungen in der Niere war nicht überzeugend.     

Transient glomerulonephropathy associated with primary erythrocytosis in a dog

Proteinuria (urine protein/creatinine ratio, 13.6) resolved after control of primary erythrocytosis in a dog. Hydroxyurea and doxorubicin administration and phlebotomy were used initially to manage erythrocytosis. Remission was maintained for approximately 2 years. Glomerulonephropathy, characterized by absence of routine histologic or immunofluorescent changes and ultrastructural evidence of basement membrane deterioration and podocyte fusion, was documented. These lesions may have been a result of hypoxia and/or hyperviscosity secondary to erythrocytosis.     

Multiple myeloma in a dog with some unusual features

Multiple myeloma with widespread lesions in skin, muscles and internal organs is described in an 8-month-old Boxer dog. The occurrence in such a young dog, the presence of extensive skin lesions and the absence of marked bone involvement are unusual features.
Résumé. On décrit des myélomes multiples avec des lésions répandues de la peau, des muscles et des organes internes, chez un Boxer de huit mois. L'occurrence de cette maladie chez un chien si jeune, la présence d'extensives lésions cutanées et le fait que les os n'aient pas été perceptiblement attaqués, sont des traits peu communs.
Zusammenfassung. KAHLER Syndrom mit weitverbreiteten Läsionen der Haut, Muskeln und der inneren Organe, ist in einem 8 Monate alten Boxer-Hund beschrieben. DieKrankheitserscheinung in solch einem jungen Hund, die vorhandenen ausgedehnten Haut Läsionen und das Fehlenvon wahrnehmbarer Auswirkung auf die Knochen, sind ungewöhnliche Merkmale.     

Multiple myeloma with associated polyneuropathy in a German shepherd dog

A 12-year-old female, neutered German shepherd dog developed progressive hindlimb followed by forelimb ataxia leading to tetraplegia. Neurological examination suggested lower motor dysfunction. Biochemical evaluation revealed a monoclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and hypercalcaemia. Multiple lytic lesions were identified radiographically in numerous bones. A bone marrow aspirate confirmed the diagnosis of multiple myeloma, with large numbers of plasma cells seen in clusters. An electromyogram revealed positive sharp waves and fibrillation potentials in the skeletal muscles of the limbs, suggesting a polyneuropathy. The dog was treated with chemotherapy using melphalan and prednisolone. Both the hypergammaglobulinaemia and the polyneuropathy resolved and the dog had normal motor function four weeks after commencing treatment. Polyneuropathy may occur as a paraneoplastic syndrome secondary to myeloma, and in this case was reversible following treatment of the underlying disease.     

Secondary erythrocytosis associated with schwannoma in a dog

An 11-year-old, spayed female mixed-breed dog showed clinical signs of right forelimb lameness and pain by palpation around the neck. Radiography and computed tomography (CT) revealed an extradural mass at the 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae, which compressed the spinal cord. The mass was surgically removed and histopathologically diagnosed as schwannoma. The dog recovered her normal gait after hemilaminectomy and removal of the mass. Ten months after the surgery, the tumor recurred with absolute erythrocytosis and was surgically removed again. This removal temporarily resolved the erythrocytosis with a decrease in plasma erythropoietin (EPO) concentration. EPO protein was detected immunohistochemically in the tumor cells. Erythrocytosis in this dog may be caused by ectopic EPO produced in the schwannoma tissues.     

Multiple myeloma in a dog with multiple concurrent infectious diseases and persistent polyclonal gammopathy

A 12‐year‐old, spayed female, mixed‐breed dog was presented for acute hematuria, stranguria, polyuria, and polydipsia, as well as lameness for 8 days. Previous medical history included treatment for infection with Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Leishmania infantum, and Dirofilaria immitis 6.5 years prior to presentation. Besides persistently increased antibody titers to E canis and A phagocytophilum, polyclonal gammopathy with a monoclonal spike and moderate hypercalcemia were observed. There was marked hematuria, and Staphylococcus aureus was cultured from urine. Two weeks after successful treatment of the urinary tract infection, radiographs showed an extensive destructive monostotic lesion of the right humerus. Cytologic examination of fine‐needle aspirates of this lesion revealed a neoplastic round cell population suggestive of multiple myeloma. The dog was treated with melphalan and prednisolone for suspected multiple myeloma and doxycycline for suspected ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis. Treatments lead to resolution of the clinical signs, hypercalcemia, and monoclonal gammopathy, and there was radiographic improvement of bone lesions; polyclonal gammopathy persisted. About one year after presentation the dog was still in clinical remission. This is a rare report of a dog with suspected multiple myeloma and a history of multiple chronic infectious diseases, suggesting that chronic infection and uncontrolled long‐term stimulation of the immune system could contribute to the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma.     

Multiple myeloma associated with the heavy chains of immunoglobulin A in a dog

On the basis of microscopic evaluation of bone marrow aspirate, multiple myeloma and secondary marrow hypoplasia was diagnosed in a 7-year-old female Doberman Pinscher. Electrophoresis, radial gel diffusion, and immunoaffinity chromatography indicated that serum and urine specimens contained alpha immunoglobulins without kappa or lambda light chains. Whole immunoglobulins (Ig) A, IgG, or IgM were not found. The dog was treated with prednisolone and melphalan for 11 weeks, after which time the owner refused examination and treatment of the dog.     

IgA multiple myeloma in a dog

Multiple myeloma was diagnosed in a 10-year-old female Labrador which showed signs of weight loss, lethargy and skeletal pain. Radiography revealed well circumscribed osteolytic lesions in vertebrae, sternebrae, and the left humerus and radius along with generalised osteoporosis. The number of plasma cells in the bone marrow was increased and the serum gamma globulin concentration was elevated. Treatment with cyclophosphamide, mephalan and prednisone successfully controlled the malignancy but also resulted in suppression of the bone marrow. There was a remission time of 21.5 months.     

IgA multiple myeloma in a dog

Multiple myeloma was diagnosed in a lo-year-old female Labrador which showed signs of weight loss, lethargy and skeletal pain. Radiography revealed well circumscribed osteolytic lesions in vertebrae, sternebrae, and the left humerus and radius along with generalised osteoporosis. The number of plasma cells in the bone marrow was increased and the serum gamma globulin concentration was elevated. Treatment with cyclophosphamide, mephalan and prednisone successfully controlled the malignancy but also resulted in suppression of the bone marrow. There was a remission time of 21.5 months.     

Multiple myeloma in a horse

Multiple myeloma was diagnosed in a 22-year-old Arabian mare with a history of chronic weight loss. Quantitative immunoglobulin analysis revealed monoclonal gammopathy (IgG(T), 9,800 mg/dl). Due to progressive weight loss, the horse was euthanatized. Microscopy of tissues revealed plasma cell infiltrates in bone marrow, spleen, pituitary gland, adrenal cortex, muscle of the tongue, and bronchial, renal, and mesenteric lymph nodes.     

Multiple myeloma in a horse

Multiple myeloma was diagnosed in a horse on the basis of clinical signs, protein electrophoresis pattern, Bence-Jones proteinuria, and radiographic changes in bone. The horse had mild depression, weight loss, edema of the distal portion of the left hind limb, anemia, hyperproteinemia, and monoclonal gammopathy in the beta 2 region. Radiographically, punctate cortical lysis of bone was seen. Specific treatment for the multiple myeloma was not attempted and the horse was euthanatized.     

Unusual IgM-secreting multiple myeloma in a dog

A 4-year-old castrated male dog was evaluated because of multiple-limb lameness. Signs of pain were elicited during palpation of the regions of the proximal tibial metaphyses and distal left radial diaphysis. Radiography revealed osteolytic lesions of the long bones. Blood analyses revealed hypercalcemia and transient cytopenias. Serum protein electrophoresis did not reveal a monoclonal gammopathy; however, urine protein electrophoresis revealed Bence Jones proteinuria. Serial diagnostic sampling of bone lesions, immunohistochemical staining methods, and serum and urine protein immunoelectrophoresis were required to establish a diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Two IgM components were identified via serum protein immunoelectrofixation. The dog improved clinically after initiation of chemotherapy with melphalan and prednisone; however, the dog ultimately was euthanatized because of pathologic fracture. The case was unique because there was lack of vertebral involvement, an unusual gammopathy, and difficulty in identifying myeloma cells via serial sampling.     

Blindness in a dog with IgA-forming myeloma

A 9-year-old dog with a 2-month history of weight loss and a 1-week history of blindness had an IgA-forming myeloma. Seemingly, the blindness was a result of bilaterally detached retinas. The dog also had leukopenia, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, and proteinuria as well as lytic lesions in the cervical portion of the spine and high IgA concentrations in serum and urine. Evaluation of aspirates from the subretinal spaces revealed lymphocytes in a proteinaceous fluid. Histologically, retinal lesions consisted of vascular endothelial cell damage and intraretinal cysts and hemorrhages.     

Multiple dermatophyte infections in a dog

A case of multiple infections of the skin of a dog with Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Candida albicans is reported and described. As immunodepression was suspected, an immunostimulatory course of levamisole, together with the antifungal agent, griseofulvin, was prescribed. Bone marrow depression was countered with anabolic steroids and a vitamin-iron compound. A 10% w/v solution of etisazole (Ectimar, Bayer) was applied topically to the lesions. Complete resolution of the infection was obtained after 5 months therapy.