Hemoabdomen in a German Shepherd with Scott syndrome

Abstract

A 7-year-old male castrated German Shepherd dog presented to Cornell University Hospital for Animals Emergency Service with a 36-hour history of lethargy and decreased appetite. The patient had a history of Canine Scott Syndrome (CSS) and well-controlled hypothyroidism. On presentation, blood work, physical exam, and imaging modalities lead to the diagnosis of a splenic mass and a hemoabdomen. The splenic mass, which was confirmed by histopathology to be a Hemangiosarcoma, had ruptured and hemorrhaged into the abdomen. An emergency splenectomy was performed. Blood and platelet transfusions were administered pre-operatively, intra-operatively, and post-operatively. No intra-operative hemostatic complications were encountered. The patient recovered from surgery uneventfully and was sent home a few days later. Canine Scott Syndrome is an autosomal recessive hereditary disorder characterized by a defect in platelet function. The dysfunction is specifically related to platelet procoagulant ability, so while primary hemostasis is appropriate in affected dogs, secondary hemostasis is impaired.