Neutrophilic leucocytosis in a dog with a rectal tumour

A nine-year-old cocker spaniel was presented with a three-year history of i ntermittent haematochezia and a palpable rectal mass. Routine haematologica l examination revealed a marked mature neutrophilia (86.04 x 10(9) neutroph ils/litre). A friable mass in the middle portion of the rectum was detected on colonoscopy. Histopathological examination of mucosal pinch biopsies co llected from the mass confirmed a diagnosis of adenomatous tubulopapillary polyp. Some evidence of malignant transformation was observed. Palliative t reatment with piroxicam suppositories at a dose of 1.4 mg/kg administered r ectally every third day was instituted. On re-evaluation, 47 days after sta rting medical therapy, the owner reported a significant reduction in haemat ochezia and tenesmus; however, frequency of defecation had remained unalter ed. Routine haematology revealed a reduction in the mature neutrophil count (33.67 x 10(9) neutrophils/litre). This report describes a case of a recta l tumour associated with a neutrophilic leucocytosis, which responded to pa lliative therapy with piroxicam suppositories.