WHAT IS YOUR DIAGNOSIS - GASTROINTESTINAL CARCINOMAS

Iron lack anemia due to chronic blood loss was diagnosed in a 12 year old dog based on typical hematological abnormalities including moderat e regenerative anemia (Hct 21%) and microcytosis (MCV 39 fl), Clinical abnormalities included weakness and episodic vomiting. Chronic occult blood loss in adult dogs most commonly occurs in the gastrointestinal tract associated with ulcus or neoplasia. Possible diagnostic steps i nclude radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, gastroduodenoscopy and explo ratory laparotomy. In the dog of this report gastric and duodenal aden ocarcinomata were found during necropsy confirming the clinical suspic ion of a bleeding gastrointestinal malignancy.