Atypical Case of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) in A Native Shepherd Dog in Duhok Province, Iraq

Abstract

A typical case of a 7-years-old Kurdish male shepherd dog was referred with two weeks history of lethargy, restlessness, anorexia and severe emaciation. Physical examination of the dog revealed generalized lymphadenopathy, strong pale mucous membrane, systolic murmur of the heart, vomiting, bloody diarrhea and fever. Hematological abnormalities indicated moderate to marked leukocytosis characterized by 89% neutrophilia with a left shift to progranulocytes and 1.6% presumptive myeloid blasts, marked thrombocytopenia, marked non-regenerative normocytic hypochromic anemia and dysplasia in platelets and neutrophils. The histopathological examination revealed excessive infiltration with neoplastic myeloid cells that invaded all the internal organs. Bone marrow analysis revealed marked hypercellularity with a predominance of immature cells, marked myeloid 6.2%, dysplasia of neutrophils lineage and rare erythroid progenitors and numerous megakaryocytes. Enlargement of superficial and visceral lymph nodes and internal body organs, especially liver and spleen were observed in the autopsy after animal euthanasia. Our results confirmed that this dog was suffering from chronic myeloid leukemia. Statistically, there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the mean value of myeloid blasts in peripheral blood and bone marrow. But, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was found between the mean values of leukocytic ratio in peripheral circulation and bone marrow. This is the first case report study that has been recorded in a native shepherd dog in a rural area around Duhok province/ Iraq.