Multiple myeloma in a dog

ABSTRACT

Multiple myeloma is an uncommon malignant neoplastic disease of humans and domestic animals associated with the excessive production of immunoglobulin by proliferated plasma cells. This article describes the findings associated with this disease entity in a 12-yr-old female Boxer dog. Clinically, the dog was very thin and had polyuria, polydypsia, and motor incoordination. Laboratory examinations revealed hypergammaglobulinemia, hypercalcemia, leucopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Radiographical evidences of osteolytic bone lesions were observed in various regions of the vertebrate column. Multiple myeloma was initially diagnosed by cytology from a fine needle bone marrow aspirate. Gross lesions suggestive of multiple myeloma were observed in the marrow of long bones, with associated widespread lymph node enlargement, splenomegaly, and hepatomegaly. Histopathology confirmed multiple myeloma in the bone marrow with metastases to the liver, lymph nodes, and spleen.