Canine multicentric lymphoma 1: Clinico-pathological presentation of the disease

The clinicopathological features of 90 cases of canine multicentric lymphoma are described. The majority of cases occurred in middle-aged dogs (five to eight years of age) with a mean age at presentation of 6–7 years. A marked sex predisposition was noted with male dogs out numbering females by 2:1. No significant breed predispositions were found. The most common presentation was a generalised lymphadenopathy but in approximately one-third of the cases this was accompanied by other signs including polyuria and polydipsia, facial oedema and upper respiratory tract obstruction. Approximately two-thirds of all the cases showed non-specific haematological abnormalities including thrombocytopenia, anaemia and white blood cell anomalies. All the cases were clinically staged according to the anatomical extent of the disease. The majority of the dogs were classified as stage 3 or above, denoting that the disease is invariably widespread or systemic upon initial presentation.