Dog with Wells-like skin swelling linked to T-cell lymphoma relapse

Abstract

A nine‐year‐old female neutered Boxer in clinical remission from T‐cell multicentric lymphoma was presented for further investigation of multiple, non‐painful, non‐pruritic, oedematous, erythematous, serpiginous plaques. On examination, a very mild right superficial cervical lymphadenomegaly was also detected. Initial glucocorticoid treatment for a suspected hypersensitivity reaction was unsuccessful and the patient presented a week later with worsening of the dermatological signs. Cytology of peripheral lymph nodes was consistent with lymphoma relapse. Histopathology of skin biopsies was compatible with canine acute eosinophilic dermatitis with oedema, also known as Wells‐like syndrome. Complete clinical resolution of the skin lesions and the peripheral lymphadenomegaly was achieved with six weeks of lomustine chemotherapy. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first description of canine acute eosinophilic dermatitis with oedema suspected to be triggered by a multicentric lymphoma in a dog.