Paschalidis G. DVM, MSc Student, Companion Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece | Kyriazis A. DVM, Private Practitioner, Protypo Iatreio Zoon, Thessaloniki, Greece | Hristov S. DVM, Private Practitioner, AVSB, Cert SAS, United Veterinary Clinic, Varna, Bulgaria | Tsiaras H. DVM, Intern, Laboratory of Diagnostic Imaging, School of Veterinary Medicine Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Introduction
In this study, the management of a 4th grade developmental lateral patellar luxation in a young dog, is presented.
Clinical cases
A 5-year-old female neutered crossbreed dog presented with a history of acute vomiting. On physical examination, a mass was palpated in the middle portion of the abdomen. Computed tomography revealed a cavitated cystic mass originating from the mesentery. The dog underwent an exploratory abdominal surgery, and the mass was excised along with an associated part of the jejunum. Histopathology was consistent with extra-skeletal osteosarcoma. Fragments of refractile foreign material (possible gossypiboma) were present within the mass.
Results
The dog recovered from anaesthesia but was euthanized 3 days later after developing septic peritonitis due to the poor prognosis.
Conclusions
Extra-skeletal visceral osteosarcoma is a highly malignant tumour and rarely can be associated with retained foreign material in the abdominal cavity. This highlights the importance of a checklist system that incorporates counting the number of swabs at the start of surgery and again at the end to ensure none are left in the abdomen.
