Multiple Myeloma in Dogs
Plasma cells are specialized white-blood cells, lymphocytes that have been altered to produce immunoglobulin, an immune protein or antibody necessary for fighting disease. Multiple myeloma is an uncommon cancer that is derived from a clonal population of cancerous (malignant) plasma cells in the bone marrow.
Three of four defining features must be present for a diagnosis of multiple myeloma: immune protein from a single clone of cells (known as a monoclonal gammopathy), seen as a spike in the gamma region of a protein analysis of the blood (known as a protein electrophoresis); cancerous plasma cells or a high number of plasma cells in the bone marrow (known as plasmacytosis); destruction of areas of bone (known as lytic bone lesions); and a particular type of protein found in the urine (known as Bence Jones [light-chain] proteinuria).
Multiple myeloma occurs in German shepherd dogs and other purebred dogs more often than mixed-breed dogs, and primarily in middle-aged or older dogs (6-13 years).
Symptoms and Types
Multiple myeloma is attributed to bone infiltration and destruction of the bone, effects of the proteins that have been produced by the tumor (such as increased protein in the blood leading to sludging of the blood and kidney damage), and infiltration of organ(s) by cancerous cells. Symptoms depend on the location and extent of the disease.
- Weakness, sluggishness (lethargy)
- Lameness is seen in 47 percent of affected dogs
- Bone pain and weakness is seen in 60 percent of affected dogs, with concurrent destruction of areas of bone
- Fever
- Partial paralysis
- Dementia with generalized discomfort or uneasiness seen in 11 percent of affected dogs
- Labored breathing
- Increased thirst and increased urination is seen in 25 percent of affected dogs, with increased levels of calcium in the blood or kidney dysfunction
- Urinary incontinence
- Enlarged liver and spleen
- Excessive bleeding from needle punctures to collect blood or to administer intravenous medications and/or fluids
- Bleeding involving the gastrointestinal tract
- Bleeding – especially from the nose or mucous membranes (the moist tissues of the mouth, eyes, and other areas of the body) is seen in 36 percent of affected dogs.
- Bleeding in the back part of the eye and blindness, retinal hemorrhage, or dilated retinal vessels is seen in 35 percent of affected dogs
- Pale gums and other moist tissues of the body (mucous membranes)
- Detached retina
- Glaucoma
- Inflammation of the front part of the eye including the iris
- Coma (rare)
Causes
Unknown
Diagnosis
You will need to give a thorough history of your dog’s health, and onset of symptoms. The history you provide may give your veterinarian clues as to which organs are causing secondary symptoms. Along with a thorough physical examination, your veterinarian will also conduct a thorough ophthalmological examination on your dog, if the eyes are showing symptoms of a diseased state.
Symptoms for multiple myeloma resemble those of several other diseases. Your veterinarian will need to rule out a number of other possibilities for the symptoms, such as infections, other types of tumors, and immune-mediated illnesses. To do that, your doctor will conduct a complete blood profile, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis. Diagnostic imaging will include X-rays of the vertebra and limbs to look for bone lesions, and ultrasound to examine the internal organs.
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purebred
Term used to refer to an animal that is one of the recognized, pure breeds
proteinuria
Protein found in the urine
platelet
A cell that aids in clotting
radiation therapy
A treatment of certain neoplasms that is administered using an x ray
urea
The product of protein being metabolized; can be found in blood or urine.
vertebra
A bone in the spinal column
urinalysis
An in-depth examination of the properties of urine; used to determine the presence or absence of illness
opportunistic
The ability to create a disease where a disease might not normally be found, usually due to an ill timed or unlikely weakness
retina
The layer of the eye that is charged with receiving and processing images
myeloma
A type of tumor made up of certain cells in the bone marrow
immunoglobulin
A type of antibody in the plasma; there are five of them
hemorrhage
Extreme loss of blood
gastrointestinal
The digestive tract containing the stomach and intestine
iris
The colored layer around the pupil
lethargy
The condition of being drowsy, listless, or weak
malignant
Something that becomes worse or life threatening as it spreads
leukopenia
A decrease in the number of white blood cells (abnormal)
antibody
A protein in the body that is designed to fight disease; antibodies are brought on by the presence of certain antigens in the system.
Courtesy of petmd.com Original Article