Fluid buildup in chest and abdomen from mast cell cancer in older dog

Abstract

A case of bicavitary effusion affecting a 12-year-old female spayed mixed breed dog that was presented to Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine's Emergency Service for abdominal distension and vomiting. Upon physical exam, the patient exhibited signs of pain and sensitivity to touch and pain on abdominal palpation with a positive fluid wave. The patient also had dull mentation and increased respiratory effort with an abdominal component. On labwork, there was a leukocytosis characterized by a mature neutrophilia, monocytosis, and basophilia. A mild thrombocytopenia with low numbers of poorly granulated mast cells were also noted on peripheral blood smear review. Serum biochemistry revealed a mild azotemia and abnormal SNAP cPL test. The patient received a full abdominal ultrasound, which detected bicavitary effusion, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly. Cytology of the cavitary effusions was moderately cellular with significant numbers of mast cells. The patient was euthanized following a tentative diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis. The clinical signs, in this case, are consistent with published data for systemic mastocytosis, which include organomegaly, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal signs, and hematologic abnormalities. However, this is the first report of bicavitary effusion due to presumed systemic mastocytosis.