Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 23 (1) 64-69 
Case Report
SPLENIC LYMPHOMA IN AN ADULT LOCAL BITCH-A CASE REPORT
ONI, S. O., AKINRINMADE, J. F., AJADI, R. A., EYAREFE, O. AND OLAIFA, A. K.
Department of Veterinary Surgery and Reproduction 
University of Ibadan
SUMMARY
A four-year old local dog weighing 12kg was presented four days after signs of persistent 
anorexia and dullness were observed. Physical examination of the bitch revealed a 
circumscribed distension of the left lateral abdomen about 5cm caudal to the rib cage, which 
on palpation appeared firm, discrete and nodular but painless. X-rays views confirmed that the 
mass was intrasplenic and had a fat density. Blood and urine samples were analysed, the result 
of which showed proteinuria, bilirubinuria and neutrophilic leucocyosis. Exploratory 
laparotomy and spleenectomy were carried out. The extirpated spleen had pendunculated 
projection. The biopsy of the spleen revealed that the tumour is a lymphoma.
KEYWORDS: Spleen, Lymphoma, Lymphosarcoma, Tumor, Hodkin, Bitch.
INTRODUCTION transformatiion of lymphoid cells that 
originates in the hematopoietic tissue. 
Pathological conditions of the canine Other organs where lymphoma can occur 
spleen could range from trauma, include the lymph node, liver, kidney or 
inflammation, torsion, hematomas, gastrointestinal tract (Wellman, 1993). 
abscesses, immune disorders and'1 The cause of canine lymphoma is still 
neoplasia (Barton, 1981; Stevenson et al, unknown (Couto, 1989). The clinical signs 
1981). The neoplastic conditions that may include splenic enlargement, generalized 
affect the spleen may be primary or less lymphadenopathy with or without a 
commonly metastatic. Haemangiosarcoma change in the peripheral circulation 
and lymphosarcoma appear to be the most (Coles, 1986).
abundant o f splenic tumours in the dog 
(Vanpelt and Conner, 1968; Barton, 1981; In general, lymphomas in dags and adult 
Eric and Mark, 1993). Fibrosarcoma and cats respond well to combination 
other sarcomas with varying components chemotherapy (Madewell, 1985; Couto, 
(Oste, rhabdo, lipo etc) have also been 1989). However, splenectomy is preferred 
reported but are uncommon (Eric and when lymphoma causes severe 
Mark, 1993). splenomegaly or if the neoplasia is 
confined within the spleen (Eric and 
Splenic lymphoma is a malignant Mark, 1993). Splenectomy is also useful
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■’ a
when biopsy of the peripheral lymph node was then obtained for urinalysis using the 
is not diagnostic (Brook et al., 1987). dipstick method. Blood sample was 
obtained from the cephalic vein using a 
Complications following canine 21-guage needle for complete blood count 
splenectomy had been reported. These and haemoparasitic checking. The blood 
include anaemia due to blood loss analysis was repeated two weeks after 
(Adetunji, and Toriola, 1996), gastric splenectomy. Both ventrodosal and lateral 
dilation volvulus, hyporaemia and abdominal radiographs were also taken 
apparent piroplasmosis (Cooper and prior to laparotomy to determine the 
Williamson, 1984; Dade, 1990). nature of the intrabdominal mass. The 
bitch .was started on oxytetracycline 
This paper reports a case of four-year-old injection at the rate o f 5mg/kg 
local bitch with splenic lymphoma. intramuscularly.
Case History and Diagnosis RESULTS
A four-year-old female local dog weighing 
12kg was presented at the Veterinary The results of the urinalysis and complete 
Teaching Hospital of the University of blood count performed are represented in 
Ibadan with complaint of dullness and Tables I and II below. There was severe 
anorexia. The bitch had neither been bilirubinuria and proteinuria, which 
dewormed nor vaccinated against rabies or cleared out four days after the 
distemper virus diseases. Physical commencement of the oxytetracycline 
examination revealed that the bitch had a injection. The complete blood count 
normal rectal temperature (38.1°C). The showed initial neutrophilic leukocytosis. 
heart, pulse and respiratory rates were 84 This however returned to normal two 
beats/min, 82 beats/min and 34 beats/min weeks after splenectomy. The haematocrit 
respectively. The bitch was dull with dropped from 42% to 38%. No protozoan 
bilateral mucoid ocular discharge. She was parasite was found in the blood smear 
slightly lean with coarse and unthrifty both before and two weeks after 
coat. Few ticks were found in the pinnea splenectomy.
and interdigital spaces of the limbs. A 
circumscribed distention of the left lateral Radiological findings (
abdomen was noted about 5 cm caudal to The lateral abdominal radiograph revealed 
the rib cage. Palpation of the abdomen a slightly enlarged liver. An intra­
only revealed a firm, discrete, nodular abdominal mass was present around the 
mass around the left craniolateral aspect. left cranial abdomen lying between the, 
The mass was not painful to touch. ele2venth thoracic (Tn) and second lumber (L ) vertebrae. The mass has a fat density 
Based on the above history and physical in most areas of its circumference except 
examination, a tentative diagnosis of around the cranioventral aspect, which 
helminthiasis intra-abdominal mass and appeared to be more radiopaque. A 
piroplasmosis was made. Urine sample tentative diagnosis of splenic tumour was
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ONI etal.,: SPLENIC LYMPHOMA IN AN ADULT LOCAL
made. This was subsequently confirmed Splenic biopsy
by exploratory laparotomy. The extirpated spleen appeared congested 
and measured 22cm in length with a 
Management weight of 180gms. It had a pedunculated 
The animal was de wormed using projection at the proximal end (Fig 1). The 
mebendazole (Vitameb®, Vital projections measured about 5cm in 
diameter and appeared grayish in colour. It 
Pharmaceuticals) at dose rate of 22nig/kg: was firm, roundish and smooth while the 
while oxytetracycline injection (Oxytra®; cut surface appeared cheesy. The omental 
Astra pPharm.) was given intramuscularly attachment was observed lo be slightly 
at the rate o f 5mg/kg body weight for greater than normal (Fig. 1). 
seven days to treat any intercurrent Histopathological finding (Fig 2) is that of 
infection prior to surgery. The bitch was lymphoma (Wellman, 1993) characterized 
premeditated using atropine and 2% by the presence of histiocytes. The nuclei 
xylazine (Xylaz; farvet Lab.) at i/m dose were characteristically variable in size and 
rates of 0.04mg/kg and 2mg/kg shape, while some were extremely 
respectively. The bitch was anaesthetized pleomorphic with apparent pseudopods. 
with pentobarbital sodium (6%) at the rate Some cells had 2-3 nuclei making them to 
o f lOmg/kg. Intravenous infusion of resemble reed stenberg cells of Hodkins 
Hartman’s solution was started and disease.
maintained throughout the operation. The 
dog’s ventral abdomen was prepared DISCUSSION
aseptically for surgery.
Splenic lymphoma has been reported as 
The spleen was approached through a the second most abundant tumour 
ventral midline cranial laparotomy. After affecting the canine spleen after 
exteriorizing the spleen with its omental haemangiosarcoma (Wellman. 1993). 
attachments, the splenic artery and Despite this relative high incidence in the 
collateral branches were first ligated at exotic breed, we are not aware of any case 
two different sites 1cm apart using a 2 reported in the local dugs in Nigeria. 
chromic catgut. This was followed by the Older dogs (3-8 years) were reported to be 
ligation o f the splenic veins. The spleen mostly affected (Vanpelt and Conner, 
was severed in-between the two ligatures. 1986; Wellman, 1993). The four-year-old 
A prophylactic gastropexy was performed dog in this report fell within this range.
to prevent a possible gastric dilation 
volvuious. The abdominal incision was The cause of proteinuna and bilirubinuria 
closed routinely in three layers. Penicillin- observed prior to antibiotic therapy is not 
streptomycin injection (Peni DHS clear. However, these may be due to bile 
COOPHAVET®) was administered at the duct obstruction occasioned by somewhat 
dose rate o f lml/lOkg for five days. displacement of the liver by the spleen. 
Coles (1986) had reported that lymphoma 
may present with or without a, change in
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NIGERIAN V ET ER IN A R Y JO U RNAL
the peripheral circulation. Haematocrit had surgery”. Edited by M. J. Bojrab. 
been observed to be normal in early stages Philadelphia, Lea and Faebiger
with profound anaemia in the latter stage 
(Vanpely and Conner, 1968). In this case, BROOKS. M. B et a l (1987): Use of 
anaemia was not present but there was splenectomy in the management of 
severe leukocytosis. lymphoma in dogs. 16 cases 
(1976-1985). J  Am. Vet. Med. 
The preference for splenectomy over Assoc. 191: 108.
chemotherapy was aimed at achieving the 
definite diagnosis (Brooks et al., 1987). COLES, E. H. (1986): “Veterinary 
Clinical Pathology” 4th Edition. 
This was also due to the fact that the W. B. Saunders and Company.
lymphoma was only localized to the 
spleen with no evidence of metastasis COOPER, M.J. and Williamson. R.C.N. 
(Eric and Mark, 1993). Blood loss due to (1984): “Splenectomy, indications, 
splenectomy has been reported to be hazards and alternatives” Br. J. 
between 11.4-30.7% of the total blood Surg. 71: 173.
volume of the dog (Adetunji and Toriola, 
1996). This may have accounted for the COUTO, C.G. (1989): Diseases o f the 
drop in PCV from 42% to 38%. lymph nodes and the spleen. In: 
Textbook of veterinary Internal 
The absence o f Babesia organism in the Medicine. Edited by S. J. Ettinger 
peripheral blood two weeks after Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders.
splenectomy despite the presence of ticks 
on the body is an interesting finding. It DATE, E. BJORLING (1993): “Spleen”. 
has been reported that inapparent blood In: Current Technique in small 
protozoan organism becomes apparent Animal surgery Edited by M.J. 
following splenectomy (Eric and Mark, Bojrab. Lea and Febiger, 
1993). This finding may suggest that local Philadelphia.
dogs possess strong pre-immunity against 
Babesia organism. ERIC, R.P. and O.R. 1993): “Spleen” by 
Disease Mechanism in Small 
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OKI etal,: SPLENIC LYMPHOMA IN AN ADULT LOCAL BITCH
hypofunction CRL Crit. Rev. VANPELT, R.W and CONNER G.H. (1968):
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TABLE I: Urinalysis result of cystocentensis obtained samples of the bitch
Parameters Initial sample Four days after antibiotic therapy
Colour Deep yellow Yellow
Turbidity Cloudy Clear
Blood -ve -ve
Urobilinogen -ve -ve
Ketones -ve ve
Bilirubin +++ve -ve 1
Protein :rfV -ve ,
Glucose -ve -ve
Nitrate -ve -ve
pH 6 7
Ascorbic acid ++ve + -+ V
Key: -v (Negative); +ve (Positive); -H-ve (Moderate); +++v (Severe)
.1
TABLE 11: Complete blood count before and two weeks after spleenectomy
Parameters Prespleenectomy 2 weeks Post Spleenectomy
PCV (%) 42 , 38
Hb (g/dl) 14.2 '‘ " 12.8
WBC (xlO'Vc.mm) 30.0 , ,f| 20.0
Neutrophil ” 1 27.0 v 1 ' 5.6
Lymphocytes ” .1.8 ' v 4.0
Monocytes ” • n _, t 0.6 0.4
Eosinophils ” 0.6 0.0
Basophils ... ” t, 0.0 ,i 0.0 .
' J ' f
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Fig. 1: Splenic lymphoma. Gross picture of the spleen showing peduriculated 
projection and excessive omental attachment
Fig. 2: Splenic lymphoma. Histopathology showing cells resembling reed 
stenberg cells(arrow)
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