Anorexia, lethargy, weakness, and acute respiratory distress in a 5-year-old male intact mixed-breed dog

A 5-year-old 16.3-kg intact male mixed-breed dog was referred to the São Paulo State University Veterinary Hospital for a 3-month history of apathy, anorexia, lethargy, and weakness as well as a 3-day duration of severe acute respiratory distress.The owner was unable to provide information regarding previous diseases or vaccination history.The patient was from a rural area and had direct contact with 2 more dogs in the house, also chickens, and cattle that were not clinically affected. Clinical and Gross FindingsDuring physical examination, the haired skin surrounding both eyes and eyelids were covered by light yellow to brown dry exudate and an infestation of brown ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) in the hair coat.Marked peripheral lymphadenopathy and severe splenomegaly were noted.The CBC and biochemistry evaluation revealed severe normochromic normocytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, and azotemia (Table 1).The abdominal ultrasound examination showed irregular contours, severely enlarged dimensions, and heterogeneous echotex-ture of the splenic parenchyma.The dog died from a cardiorespiratory arrest during hospital care.Gross postmortem examination revealed multiple enlarged lymph nodes (popliteal, axillary, prescapular, and mesenteric) ranging from 2.0 X 1.5 X 0.9 cm to 2.4 X 1.8 X 1.2 cm.The spleen was severely enlarged with diffuse irregular capsular thickening (Figure 1).