OVARIAN CANCER DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT IN A GERIATRIC BITCH: CHALLENGES IN TREATING AN ELDER PET AGGRAVATED BY COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS

Ovarian tumors are considered rare in dogs but pose a diagnostic challenge, requiring oncological expertise to establish diagnosis and accurate treatment. Diagnostic imaging is crucial to cancer diagnosis and treatment follow-up but, as in Medicine, this service was impacted by quarantine imposed by COVID-19 pandemic. This report aimed to describe a senior canine patient diagnosed with ovarian adenocarcinoma in a Brazilian country town during COVID-19 lockdown, evaluating the decision-making process in the absence of a veterinary oncology specialist, complicated by pandemic restrictions. A 15-year-old, nonspecific breed, intact bitch presented apathy and emesis. Abdominal palpation revealed increased epigastric volume. Ultrasonography suggested tumoral mass of unknown origin. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and a unilateral ovarian mass was removed. Patient recovered well from surgery. Histopathological evaluation revealed ovarian adenocarcinoma with lymphatic vascular invasion. No further treatment was indicated. Semesterly revisions were scheduled but metastasis developed in less than a year, after first revision. By this time, thoracic radiography was unavailable in owner’s town, impairing metastasis screening and prognosis. Chemotherapy was offered only after metastasis detection but was declined by the owner. Patient was lost in follow-up. This present case illustrates the importance of a prompt diagnosis and suitable treatment for ovarian cancer-bearing patients based on veterinary oncology expertise. It also emphasizes how pandemic lockdown prejudicated imaging exam availability, especially in country towns, similar to what was observed in human patients, reflecting an undeniable One Health issue.