Serum symmetric dimethylarginine levels in a half-breed German shepherd dog with renal cystadenocarcinoma and nodular dermatofibrosis

Abstract

This report describes the diagnosis, clinical signs, and laboratory and histopathological findings of a canine renal cystadenocarcinoma and nodular dermatofibrosis. A 10-year-old entire female half-breed German Shepherd Dog x Rottweiler was brought to a veterinary clinic with hematuria and was non-responsive to the treatment with ciprofloxacin and prednisone. Erythrogram showed a normocytic normochromic anemia. Serum biochemical analysis revealed mildly elevated aspartate aminotransferase activity and high level of symmetric dimethylarginine. Data acquired during physical examination, abdominal sonography and X-ray evaluation allowed for the presumptive diagnosis of renal cystadenocarcinoma and nodular dermatofibrosis, which was confirmed by kidney histopathology. Symmetric dimethylarginine serum level is useful with evaluating and staging of the chronic kidney disease in dogs affected by renal cystadenocarcinoma and nodular dermatofibrosis.