Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with chronic protein-losing enteropathy diagnosed with ovarian
By Mortensen, Jacob Kvesel et al.·Published in Acta veterinaria Scandinavica·2026·Gothenburg Animal Hospital Evidensia·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Ovarian T-cell lymphoma in a dog with chronic protein-losing enteropathy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old Miniature Poodle was brought in with chronic diarrhea, fluid buildup in the abdomen, and low protein levels in her blood. After being treated with medications to manage her condition, she initially improved but later developed new gastrointestinal issues. An ultrasound revealed an ovarian mass, which was diagnosed as T-cell lymphoma, a rare and aggressive type of cancer. Unfortunately, despite some stability for a few months, the cancer spread to other organs, leading to her euthanasia. This case shows how chronic intestinal issues can sometimes be linked to serious conditions like lymphoma.
People also search for: dog chronic diarrhea treatment · Miniature Poodle lymphoma symptoms · ovarian cancer in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lymphoma is one of the most common malignancies in dogs, but ovarian lymphoma is exceedingly rare, with only a few reported cases. Most canine lymphomas are of B-cell origin, whereas T-cell lymphomas are generally associated with a more aggressive clinical course. Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a well-documented cause of hypoalbuminemia in dogs, often resulting from lymphangiectasia or chronic enteropathies. The potential relationship between chronic immune-mediated disease and the development of lymphoma remains unclear. CASE PRESENTATION: A 10-year-old intact female Miniature Poodle presented with chronic diarrhea, ascites and hypoalbuminemia. Abdominal ultrasound revealed severe intestinal mucosal striation, consistent with PLE, but no evidence of neoplasia. The dog was treated with methylprednisolone, chlorambucil, and cyclosporine, achieving long-term clinical stability. Fourteen months after initial presentation, the dog developed acute gastrointestinal signs, and ultrasound revealed an ovarian mass. Cytology, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry confirmed a diagnosis of ovarian T-cell lymphoma. No other neoplastic lesions were detected at that time raising the possibility of a primary ovarian origin, though widespread disease at necropsy suggests secondary involvement. The dog remained clinically stable for five months after lymphoma diagnosis but ultimately developed widespread disease, including hepatic, splenic, and adrenal involvement, leading to euthanasia. Necropsy confirmed multi-organ dissemination of the T-cell lymphoma, while histopathology of the intestines revealed signs of chronic lymphangiectasia but no definitive diagnosis of intestinal lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of extranodal lymphoma in dogs and the importance of considering neoplasia in cases of chronic protein-losing enteropathy. The potential role of chronic inflammation and long-term immunosuppressive therapy in lymphomagenesis remains unclear and warrants further study.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41593674/