Lingual haemangiosarcoma in a French Bulldog: atypical clinical presentation

Abstract

A one-year-old male entire French Bulldog presented with progressive submandibular and ventral cervical swelling. Initial treatment for a suspected lingual abscess secondary to stick chewing yielded only transient improvement. Despite both conservative therapy and surgical intervention, the dog's condition deteriorated, prompting advanced imaging. Bilateral lingual masses and pulmonary abnormalities were identified. Post-mortem examination confirmed a diagnosis of lingual haemangiosarcoma (LHSA) with multifocal metastasis and severe pulmonary haemorrhage. This is the first reported case of LHSA in a French Bulldog. This case illustrates the potential for atypical presentations of lingual neoplasia, especially in brachycephalic breeds where baseline oropharyngeal compromise may obscure or exacerbate clinical signs. This report emphasises the importance of including neoplasia in the differential diagnosis for persistent or progressive lingual swelling, even in young dogs and breeds predisposed to upper airway obstruction.