Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Filly with fever and fluid in chest due to liver tumor
By Axon, J E et al.·Published in Australian veterinary journal·2008·Scone Veterinary Hospital, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Erythrocytosis and pleural effusion associated with a hepatoblastoma in a Thoroughbred yearling.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 10-month-old Thoroughbred filly was brought to the vet with a two-month history of fever and fluid buildup in her chest. Tests showed she had an increased number of red blood cells and other abnormalities, but despite IV fluids, her condition didn't improve. An ultrasound revealed a large mass in her liver, which was later confirmed to be a type of liver cancer called hepatoblastoma. Unfortunately, the filly was euthanized, and the necropsy confirmed the presence of the tumor without any spread to other areas of her body.
People also search for: Thoroughbred filly fever · horse liver cancer symptoms · pleural effusion in horses
Abstract
A 10-month-old Thoroughbred filly was presented with a 2-month history of recurrent fever and pleural effusion. Major clinical findings were pyrexia and congested mucous membranes. Clinical pathology tests revealed an erythrocytosis, hyperfibrinogenaemia and hyperglobulinaemia. Pleural fluid was seen on ultrasonographic examination of the thorax and analysis of a thoracocentesis sample indicated a lymphocytic, modified transudate. A transtracheal aspirate was normal. The erythrocytosis persisted despite IV fluid therapy. Arterial blood gas analysis and bone marrow aspirate were normal. These findings were indicative of secondary inappropriate erythrocytosis. Ultrasonographic examination of the abdomen showed a large encapsulated heterogeneous mass in the left lobe of the liver. Histopathological evaluation of a biopsy of the mass was indicative of a hepatic carcinoma. The filly was euthanased and necropsy confirmed the presence of a hepatic tumour with no evidence of systemic metastasis. Further histopathological evaluation confirmed the tumour to be an embryonal macrotrabecular epithelial-type hepatoblastoma, a type of hepatoblastoma that has not previously been reported in a horse.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18673477/