Case Study

Gastric carcinoma in a 10 year old FS West Highland White Terrier

This 10-year-old FS West Highland White Terrier dog was presented for persistent vomiting, weight loss, and acute abdominal pain. Preliminary blood analysis was unremarkable.

This 10-year-old FS West Highland White Terrier dog was presented for persistent vomiting, weight loss, and acute abdominal pain. Preliminary blood analysis was unremarkable.

DX

Gastric carcinoma

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Primary consideration is given to gastric wall neoplasia with regional infiltrative lymphadenopathy. Inflammatory or granulomatous diseases are considered less likely.

Image Interpretation

The greater curvature is markedly thickened within the fundal and body regions of the stomach. The affected stomach wall is hypoechoic with complete loss of layering (images 1 & 2). The pyloric antrum was unremarkable with normal layering and empty lumen, indicating a strong possibility of surgical resection of the lesion (Image 3). A moderately enlarged, hypoechoic gastric lymph node is also present (Image 4) adjacent to the infiltrated portion of gastric wall with loss of layering detail (10 o`clock position).

Outcome

The patient remained asymptomatic for 3 months with a treatment protocol of doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide, deracoxib, and omeprazole. Euthanasia was elected after the onset of persistent vomiting and anorexia that were non-responsive to medical treatment.