LAUSR

A 10-year-old male Italian Volpino crossbreed dog was referred for a second opinion for not-responsive anemia. The dog had a history of travel across Europe, including Spain. A month before, the dog was visited in the Canary Islands for lethargy, dysorexia and vomit lasting for about 2 months with a worsening in the last week. The Complete Blood Count (CBC) revealed severe normocytic normochromic anemia [RBC 1.58 10/μl (RI 5.5–8.5), Hgb 3.4 g/dl (RI 12–18), Hct 10.36% (RI 37–55), MCV 66 μ (60–77), MCH 21.8 pg (19.5–24.5) MCHC 33.1 g/dl (31–38) RDW 20.1% (12.5–16)] and thrombocytopenia (44,000/μl, RI 150–500); biochemistry profile identified a significant hyperproteinemia (9.4 mg/dl, RI 5.4–8.2) due to hyperglobulinemia (6.3 mg/dl, RI 2.3–5.2). The owner referred that the day after the dog undergo blood transfusion, and started antibiotic and corticosteroid therapy. A week later hematological parameters were quite improved, but anemia was still present [(RBC 3.47 10/μl (RI 5.5–8.5), Hgb 7.9 g/dLl (RI 12–18), Hct 21.75% (RI 37–55), MCV 63 μ (60–77), MCH 22.7 pg (19.5–24.5) MCHC 36.3 g/dl (31–38) RDW 18.3% (12.5–16)]. No other medical reports were available. When the dog was referred to our Hospital, clinical examination revealed poor body condition (BCS 3/9), pale mucous membranes and a cutaneous alopecic mass on the lateral surface of the right metacarpus. The mass was roundish (2.5 2.5 cm), raised, pinkish, soft and alopecic (Figure 1). Fine-needle aspiration of the mass was performed for cytologic evaluation. The cytological specimen was highly cellular and moderately hemodiluted. It was composed of a neoplastic population of round cells admixed with occasional small mature lymphocytes. Neoplastic cells were roundish, 18–22 μm in diameter, with distinct cell borders and variable nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio. Cells had moderate to