Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Horse with weight loss and stopped eating diagnosed with leukemia
By Searcy, G P & Orr, J P·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·1981·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Chronic granulocytic leukemia in a horse.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A nine-year-old Quarter Horse was losing weight and eating less than usual for about 47 days. The horse showed signs of lung inflammation and infection, which were confirmed by blood tests showing high white blood cell counts and increased protein in the fluid around the lungs. Throughout this time, the horse had low levels of certain white blood cells and abnormal immature cells in its blood, along with worsening anemia (low red blood cell count) and low platelets. A bone marrow test showed very few mature white blood cells and many immature ones, indicating a serious condition called chronic granulocytic leukemia. Unfortunately, the horse's condition was quite severe and did not improve.
Abstract
A nine year old quarter horse exhibited progressive weight loss and inappetance over a 47 day period. There was clinical evidence of pleuritis and pneumonia substantiated by leukocytosis and elevated protein in pleural fluid. Over the entire period the horse was neutropenic and had circulating abnormal immature granulocytes and low numbers of blast cells. Anemia and thrombocytopenia progressively worsened. Bone marrow examination revealed very few mature granulocytes but large numbers of immature cells of the granulocytic series and marked megaloblastic transformation of erythroid cells. These findings were consistent with chronic granulocytic leukemia.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6941847/