Ziavras A. DVM, Plakentia Veterinary Clinic, Athens | Xatzistylianou M. DVM, Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Clinical Pathology ENVT, Plakentia Veterinary Clinic, Athens | Timiou D. DVM, MSc Companion Animal Medicine, GPcert Oncology, Plakentia Veterinary Clinic, Athens | Mylonakis M.E. DVM, PhD, Professor, Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Introduction
In this report, the medical management and outcome of a dog with a tricavitary malignant effusion due to carcinomatosis is presented.
Clinical case
A 10-year-old mixed-breed, female-neutered dog, was presented with weight loss and respiratory distress. Clinical examination revealed poor body condition, mucosal pallor, and muffed heart sounds. Complete blood count revealed anemia and mild thrombocytosis. Computed tomography scan revealed pleural and peritoneal effusion and a lung lobe torsion. An exploratory celiotomy revealed multiple nodules on the mesentery, urinary bladder wall and peritoneum. Histopathologic examination established a diagnosis of carcinomatosis of unknown primary origin. Intracavitary chemotherapy (ICC) sessions with carboplatin led to partial clinical remission.
Results
Two years post-admission, the dog presented with cardiac tamponade due to neoplastic pericardial effusion. The overall survival time was 3 years with a total of 19 ICC sessions and 4 intravenous chemotherapies.
Conclusions
Although carcinomatosis heralds a poor prognosis, ICC coupled with supportive care may improve the quality of life and prolong survival in affected dogs.
