Caecal gastrointestinal stromal tumour with secondary immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia in a cocker spaniel

Abstract

Abstract: The present case report documents a paraneoplastic immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia secondary to a gastrointestinal stromal tumour of the caecum in a female neutered cocker spaniel. The dog was presented with a history of acute onset lethargy and anorexia. Investigations revealed a mildly regenerative, Coombs’ test‐positive anaemia with spherocytosis and auto‐agglutination. Abdominal ultrasonography documented a concurrent focal caecal mass. Surgical resection of the mass resulted in complete resolution of the immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia; immunosuppressive treatment was not required at any stage. The histopathological and immunohistochemical findings supported the diagnosis of a gastrointestinal stromal tumour. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of a paraneoplastic immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia secondary to a gastrointestinal stromal tumour in a dog and demonstrates a rare case of remission of immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia in response to surgical resection of the tumour alone.