Spinal cord nephroblastoma in a Chihuahua

Abstract

A 2-year-old, male, neutered chihuahua was referred to the neurology service with a 3-week history of progressive weakness of both pelvic limbs. A myelo-computed tomography and high field magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracolumbar vertebral column identified a large, focal, intradural-extramedullary mass in the T12–L1 region of the vertebral canal. Histopathological analysis was compatible with a spinal cord nephroblastoma. The dog was treated with toceranib, but was euthanased due to lack of improvement. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of a spinal cord nephroblastoma in a chihuahua and the first report that describes the use of toceranib for this tumour type.