Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with seizures linked to rare blood disease polycythemia
By Faissler, D et al.·Published in Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde·1998·Institut fü·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: [Convulsions in relation to polycythemia: literature review and case description].
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old male Leonberger was brought in for symptoms like lethargy, trouble walking, and confusion. After tests, the vet found he had a rare condition called secondary inadequate polycythemia, which was linked to kidney problems. Unfortunately, he developed seizures and his condition worsened despite emergency treatment. Sadly, due to the serious complications and poor prognosis, the decision was made to euthanize him. A biopsy later revealed he had T-cell renal lymphoma, which contributed to his decline.
People also search for: Leonberger seizures · dog kidney cancer symptoms · polycythemia in dogs treatment
Abstract
Polycythemia--characterized by an excessive number of erythrocytes--is a rare disease in the dog with a chronic progressive course and unspecific symptoms. There are several forms: a primary, a secondary adequate or a secondary inadequate polycythemia. The clinical workup is done step by step and after stabilization of critical patients, the remaining therapy must address the primary cause. We report on a five year old male Leonberger dog suffering from secondary, inadequate polycythemia. He was presented with apathy, gait disturbances and disorientation. On the basis of the diagnostic workup a pathological process in the kidneys was postulated. Initially focal seizures became generalized later, most probably because of formation of a forebrain thrombus with secondary hypoxia. Even after emergency treatment the general state deteriorated. The course indicated possible sepsis. Because of the critical picture with secondary complications and the poor prognosis, the dog was euthanised. The histopathological results showed T-cell renal lymphoma and secondary injury to the forebrain.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9528346/