Tomographic aspects of multiple myeloma in a dog – case report

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a rare lymphoproliferative neoplasm in dogs and cats. There is no predilection for breed or sex and it affects animals between the ages of 8 and 14. The clinical signs associated with MM are non-specific and include lethargy, weakness and anorexia. The diagnosis of MM is based on the detection of monoclonal gammopathy in serum or urine, osteolytic lesions through imaging tests and an increase of more than 20% in plasma cells in the bone marrow through aspiration cytology or a fragment biopsy and histopathology. Treatment usually consists of the use of melphalan combined with prednisone, which provides a mean survival time of 540 days in dogs. This report describes the contribution of computed tomography in the diagnosis of multiple myeloma in a 12-year-old mixed-breed bitch who presented ataxia, weakness and reduced proprioception in the pelvic limbs.