Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
A case of chronic lymphocytic leukemia masked by Cushing's disease in a dog.
- Journal:
- The Journal of veterinary medical science
- Year:
- 2021
- Authors:
- Choi, Ju-Won et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine · South Korea
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 12-year-old female dog weighing 3.5 kg was brought to the vet because she was drinking and urinating a lot and had a swollen belly. Tests showed that she had high levels of liver enzymes and an increased white blood cell count. Further testing confirmed she had Cushing's disease, which was treated with a medication called trilostane that helped manage her symptoms. However, after her Cushing's was under control, she developed a blood condition called T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), which was discovered through a bone marrow test. Although chemotherapy helped improve her blood cell counts, her quality of life declined, and she was euthanized about 45 weeks after her initial visit.
Abstract
A 12-year-old, 3.5-kg, intact female dog was presented with polyuria, polydipsia, and a pendulous abdomen. Laboratory examinations showed elevated hepatobiliary enzyme levels and neutrophilic leukocytosis. The adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test confirmed hyperadrenocorticism (HAC). Trilostane therapy managed the clinical condition and cortisol concentration. However, lymphocytosis and nonregenerative anemia developed after HAC remission. Bone marrow aspiration analysis revealed a lymphoproliferative disorder with a clonal T-cell population. Accordingly, the patient was diagnosed with T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and concurrent HAC. Thereafter, chemotherapy was initiated, which improved the lymphocytosis. However, euthanasia was performed because of worsening quality of life at 45 weeks after the first presentation. These results suggested that CLL could be masked by excessive endogenous cortisol and discovered after HAC remission.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34039785/