Skin lymphosarcomatosis of a dairy cow

A case of a four year old dairy cow suffering from skin lymphosarcomatosis is described. The clinical examination revealed a diffuse distribution of f irm nodes on the skin surface in size from hazelnut to chestnut. Tail regio n and perineum showed nodes in size of walnuts with deep skin fissures. The palpable lymphnodes were severely enlarged. Blood picture displayed a cont inous increase of lymphocytosis, thrombocytopenia and anemia during the sta y at our clinic (3 weeks). An increasing dyspnoe was caused by pressure of the enlarged cervical and retropharyngeal lymphnodes on the trachea. The se rological examination regarding antibodies to BLV showed negative results. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed histologically by severe infiltration of lymphoid cells of examined skin lesions. Pathomorphologically severe inf iltrations of lymphoid cells in liver, kidneys and lymphnodes could be show n. Additionally, the frequency of cases of skin lymphosarcomatosis which we re submitted to the clinic in the last 20 years is described.