Metastatic Kidney Carcinoma Causing Paralysis of
Pelvic Limbs in a Dog
SG Calazans1*, CEF Alves2,
NM Zanetti3, VA Conforti1, J Santilli1,
DS Anjos1 and GM Magalhães1
1Animal
Science Graduate Program, University of Franca – UNIFRAN: Av. Dr.
Armando Salles Oliveira, 201, Parque Universitário, Franca, São
Paulo, 14404-600, Brazil; 2Veterinary Medicine Graduate
Program, São Paulo State University – UNESP: Av. Prof. Montenegro,
s/n, Distrito Rubião, Botucatu, São Paulo, 18618-970, Brazil;3Advanced Veterinary Medical Center – CAVET: Rua
Guimarães Passos, 592, Vila Seixas, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo,
14020-070, Brazil;
*Corresponding author:
sabryna.calazans@unifran.edu.br
Abstract
A 12-year-old male Maltese dog was presented with
a history of shivering episodes. Radiographs revealed a mass in the left kidney
that was histopathologically classified as a renal cell carcinoma. After
nephrectomy, pelvic limbs became paralyzed. Spinal cord and lung metastases were
detected via histopathological examination and confirmed by immunohistochemistry.
Both pan-cytoketatin and Ki67 assays tested positive in the kidney, lung, and
spinal cord. Interestingly, COX-2 had mild immunoreactivity in the kidney, but
its labeling was intense in the spinal cord and lung. Though seemingly rare, the
spinal cord may possibly be a focus point for metastasis of renal cell
carcinomas. Because symptoms can easily be misunderstood, late diagnoses would
not be uncommon and may hinder clinical management of the disease.