Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with intestinal tumor and high white blood cell count that
By Gidcumb, Emily M et al.·Published in Veterinary clinical pathology·2023·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Probable paraneoplastic leukocytosis in a dog with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old female spayed Boston Terrier was brought in because she was very tired, not eating well, losing weight, and had a high white blood cell count. During the exam, the vet found significant muscle loss and a noticeable mass in her abdomen. Imaging showed the mass was in her small intestine, leading to surgery to remove it. After the tumor was taken out, her white blood cell count returned to normal within two weeks. This case suggests that the high white blood cell count was likely related to the tumor.
People also search for: Boston Terrier weight loss · dog lethargy and poor appetite · gastrointestinal stromal tumor in dogs · dog surgery recovery · high white blood cell count in dogs
Abstract
A 9-year-old female spayed Boston Terrier presented for diagnostic investigation of lethargy, poor appetite, weight loss, and a marked leukocytosis. Significant muscle wasting and a palpable abdominal mass were present on physical examination. Abdominal imaging revealed the mass to be of small intestinal origin; consequently, an intestinal resection and anastomosis were performed without complication. The histopathologic diagnosis was a gastrointestinal stromal tumor, verified by immunohistochemical positivity to CD117 (KIT). Two weeks after discharge, the leukocytosis had resolved. Though the exact molecular mediator of the severe leukocytosis was undetermined, resolution following tumor removal suggests a paraneoplastic cause. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of probable paraneoplastic leukocytosis secondary to a gastrointestinal stromal tumor in the dog. Gastrointestinal tract imaging should be performed when this uncommon hematologic abnormality is present.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35534919/