Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, hypercalcemia, and pseudohyperkalemia in a dog

A 5-month-old sexually intact male Chesapeake Bay Retriever was evaluated for lameness of 2 weeks' duration and lymphocytosis. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia was diagnosed on the basis of results of cytologic and cytochemical evaluation of a bone marrow aspirate. Serum biochemical abnormalities included hypercalcemia and hyperkalemia. Hypercalcemia was likely paraneoplastic; hyperkalemia was believed to be a result of release of potassium from large numbers of lymphocytes in vitro (pseudohyperkalemia). The dog was euthanatized, and necropsy revealed infiltration of the hepatic vasculature and sinusoids, renal parenchyma, mesenteric and peripheral lymph nodes, bone marrow, and iridial tissue with neoplastic cells. Unique features of this case include the young age of the dog and the hypercalcemia and hyperkalemia associated with acute lymphoblastic anemia.