Primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma in a cow

Andrade Neto, Adony Querubino de; Souto, Rodolfo José Cavalcanti; Cajueiro, Jobson Filipe de Paula; Mendonça, Carla Lopes de; Driemeier, David; Souza, José Claudio de Almeida; Mendonça, Fábio de Souza; Afonso, José Augusto Bastos

Primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma in a cow

Andrade Neto, Adony Querubino deSouto, Rodolfo José CavalcantiCajueiro, Jobson Filipe de PaulaMendonça, Carla Lopes deDriemeier, DavidSouza, José Claudio de AlmeidaMendonça, Fábio de SouzaAfonso, José Augusto Bastos

Background: Primary neoplasms of the respiratory tract are rare in cattle, and they present with nonspecific clinical signs and are usually found at post-mortem. Pulmonary adenocarcinoma of the acinar type is uncommon, and information about this neoplasm in cattle is scarce. This paper aims to describe the clinical, laboratory, and pathological findings in a cow with this neoplasm. Case: A 10-year-old, adult, mixed-breed Holstein cow weighing 300 kg was referred to the Garanhuns Cattle Clinic of the Campus of Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Brazil, with a history of decreased appetite, tiredness, weight loss, and difficulty in breathing for two months. The animal had been treated at the farm of origin with enrofloxacin, florfenicol, and flunixin meglumine. The animals appetite improved, but no improvement in the respiratory symptoms was observed. On examination at our center, the cow was in an orthopedic position, with neck extension and elbow abduction; and it remainedin a recumbent position. The cow had neutrophilia, normochromic normocytic anemia, and hyperfibrinogemia. The body condition score (BCS) was 1 (BCS ranges from 1 to 5), and the cow had moderate enophthalmia, serous secretions in nostrils, tachycardia, and tachypnea. It also had increased breathing intensity; increased breath sounds in the cranial regions of both lungs; areas of reduced breath sounds in the medial portions of the lungs; intermittent wheezing in the cranial region of the left lung medially and in the cranial region of the right lung medially; intermittent crepitations in the cranial region of the right lung medially; reduced thoracic expansion; and expiratory dyspnea. Pulmonary ultrasonography revealed hyperechogenic multifocal structures in both lungs. In view of the severe clinical condition and unfavorable prognosis, theowner opted for euthanasia. Necropsy revealed that there was a significant amount of yellow fluid in the thoracic cavity, and...(AU)