Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Steroid-responsive lymph node swelling in 49 dogs and treatment
By Ribas Latre, A et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2019·Dick White Referrals, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Canine sterile steroid-responsive lymphadenitis in 49 dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 49 dogs, mostly young female Springer Spaniels, were brought in with symptoms like fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. They were diagnosed with a condition called sterile steroid-responsive lymphadenitis, which means their lymph nodes were inflamed without any clear cause. The dogs were treated with prednisolone, a type of steroid, and most showed quick improvement, with their symptoms and swollen lymph nodes resolving rapidly. This condition can often be treated effectively with corticosteroids when no other underlying issues are found.
People also search for: dog swollen lymph nodes treatment · Springer Spaniel fever · dog lethargy and loss of appetite · prednisolone for dogs · canine lymphadenitis symptoms
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To report clinical and laboratory features, treatment responses and outcome in dogs diagnosed with sterile steroid-responsive lymphadenitis in the United Kingdom. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of dogs diagnosed with sterile steroid-responsive lymphadenitis from 2009 to 2016 at six specialist referral centres were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The study included 49 dogs. Springer spaniels appeared to be over-represented (16 of 49 dogs). Young dogs (median age: 3 years and 9 months) and females (31 of 49) were frequently affected. Clinical presentation was variable, with pyrexia (39 of 49), lethargy (35 of 49) and anorexia (21 of 49) the most commonly reported clinical signs. Lymph node cytology or histopathology demonstrated neutrophilic, pyogranulomatous, granulomatous or necrotising lymphadenitis without a detectable underlying cause in all cases. Because a sterile immune-mediated aetiology was suspected, all dogs received prednisolone, which was followed by rapid resolution of clinical signs and lymphadenopathy in most cases. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Sterile steroid-responsive lymphadenitis should be considered in dogs with pyrexia of unknown origin with inflammatory lymphadenopathy if no underlying cause can be found and often responds well to immunosuppressive corticosteroid therapy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30684356/