OSTEOSARCOMA IN A SIX MONTH OLD ALSATIAN PUPPY

Abstract

A Six-month-old male Alsatian puppy was diagnosed with 
osteosarcoma. A rather unusual feature of the tumor was the very 
rapid spread within four weeks of presentation, from a hard swelling on 
the right elbow to involve bilateral enlargement of the radioulnar and 
tibiofibular bones, distorted growth and moderate ankylosis of the stifle 
and elbow joints. The haemogram showed a mild normocytic 
normochromic (non regenerative), likely myelophthistic anaemia. 
Radiological examination revealed osteolytic lesions with irregular 
edges, and varying degrees of mineralization of the matrix, extending 
from the epiphyses into the metaphyses and diaphyses of the bones. As 
a result of the simultaneous involvement of all the four 
limbs,amputation was not feasible, and the dog was therefore 
euthanised. The histopathological diagnosis was a moderately 
productive osteoblastic sarcoma characterized by formation of tumor 
stroma, osteoid bone and cartilage, with scanty numbers of anaplasic 
osteoblasts. No metastasis was observed in the Lung.