Osteoblastic osteosarcoma in the caudal vertebra of a domestic feline: case report

Abstract

Primary neoplasms in felines have a low incidence and among them, the most common is osteosarcoma. This type of tumor is more common in the appendicular skeleton and when it occurs in the axial skeleton, it has a higher incidence in the pelvis and skull. Cats with this type of tumor have a longer survival rate when they undergo surgical resection, as well as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The objective of this report was to describe a case of osteoblastic osteosarcoma in the caudal vertebra of a domestic feline, in which the patient has survived for 39 months to date. A six-year-old female feline was treated at the Municipal Veterinary Clinic of Manhuaçu, Minas Gerais, with clinical complaints of fever, appetite loss, increased volume and pain on palpation in the caudal vertebra for approximately three weeks. An X-ray was performed, which showed intense irregular bone proliferation and increased radiopacity in the caudal vertebra. Histopathological examination of the mass revealed the diagnosis of osteoblastic osteosarcoma. It was decided to perform caudectomy surgery and there was no recurrence of the tumor.