Clinical and radiographic manifestations of canine malignant histiocytosis.

Abstract

The results of clinical and radiographic examinations of 15 dogs with confirmed malignant histiocytosis (MH) were reviewed. The most common clinical signs were anorexia (14 dogs), weight loss (13 dogs), lethargy (13 dogs), anaemia (11 dogs), and dyspnoea and/or coughing (8 dogs). Radiographs revealed abnormalities in all dogs, either intrathoracic (pulmonary nodules or consolidation [7 dogs], mediastinal masses [10 dogs], and incidentally pleural effusion [3 dogs]) or abdominal (hepatomegaly [6 dogs] and splenomegaly [2 dogs]), or both. MH occurs relatively frequently in Bernese Mountain dogs. Both clinical and radiographic signs are non-specific, but when they are present in a middle-aged Bernese Mountain dog, MH should be included in the differential diagnosis.