An intestinal neuroendocrine tumour associated with paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia and melaena in a 10-year-old boxer

J Small Anim Pract. 2008 Jan;49(1):33-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2007.00389.x. Epub 2007 Jul 6.

Abstract

A 10-year-old female neutered boxer was presented with a five-week history of episodic collapse and melaena. Twenty-four-hour electrocardiograph (Holter) analysis revealed the collapsing episodes to coincide with episodes of paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia. Investigation of the dog's melaena revealed a gastric ulcer which was treated medically and an ileocaecal mass which was surgically excised. Histopathological examination of the mass was consistent with a neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumour. The patient's recovery after surgery was unremarkable. At six-week follow-up, there had been no further episodes of melaena or collapse and repeat Holter analysis did not show any significant abnormalities. In this dog the gastric ulceration and paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia could be attributed to a paraneoplastic syndrome as a result of circulating vasoactive substances released by the tumour; this is supported by the evidence that all clinical signs resolved after surgical excision of the mass and the dog was clinically well 18 months after surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Dog Diseases / surgery
  • Dogs
  • Electrocardiography / veterinary
  • Female
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / veterinary*
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / veterinary
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / diagnosis
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / surgery
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / veterinary*
  • Stomach Ulcer / diagnosis
  • Stomach Ulcer / drug therapy
  • Stomach Ulcer / veterinary*
  • Tachycardia, Paroxysmal / diagnosis
  • Tachycardia, Paroxysmal / surgery
  • Tachycardia, Paroxysmal / veterinary*
  • Treatment Outcome