Ovarian dysgerminoma in a bitch

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Canine Oncology
• Reproductive Pathology

Background:

• Pyometra is a common uterine infection in intact female dogs.
• Ovarian tumors, though less common, can occur in dogs and may have significant clinical implications.
• Dysgerminomas are rare germ cell tumors that can arise in the ovary.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of canine pyometra with an incidental diagnosis of ovarian dysgerminoma.
• To describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, and treatment of this concurrent condition.
• To evaluate the long-term outcome in a dog with both pyometra and ovarian dysgerminoma.

Main Methods:

• Clinical case presentation at a veterinary teaching hospital.
• Physical examination, diagnostic imaging, and surgical intervention (ovariohysterectomy).
• Histopathological examination of the excised ovarian tissue for definitive diagnosis.

Main Results:

• A nine-year-old crossbred bitch presented with anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, and purulent vaginal discharge, consistent with pyometra.
• Ovariohysterectomy was performed, revealing one enlarged ovary.
• Histopathology confirmed pyometra and diagnosed a dysgerminoma in the larger ovary, characterized by specific cellular morphology.
• The dog recovered well from surgery and remained healthy two years post-discharge.

Conclusions:

• Pyometra was the primary clinical issue, with the ovarian dysgerminoma being an incidental finding.
• Ovariohysterectomy effectively treated the pyometra and removed the ovarian tumor.
• The long-term prognosis for dogs with incidentally discovered ovarian dysgerminomas, when treated, appears favorable, though further studies are needed.