Work

Inducible haemorrhage (epistaxis) secondary to lomustine administration without thrombocytopenia in a dog

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: A 13‐year‐old dog with no history of spontaneous bleeding was presented for evaluation of multiple diffusely distributed cutaneous mast cell tumours. No obvious metastasis was found, and chemotherapy with vinblastine/lomustine was initiated. After the second dose of lomustine was administered, the dog experienced epistaxis for 2–3 minutes per day along with heavy sneezing due to the discharge. Throughout additional chemotherapy cycles, intermittent nasal bleeding continued, and investigation into the causes of epistaxis found no obvious nasal causes or coagulopathies, but epistaxis resolved after lomustine administration was delayed. As the mast cell tumours began to grow again, another dose of lomustine was given without vinblastine, and epistaxis returned. Throughout the dog's treatment, it was never thrombocytopenic but often had thrombocytosis. There are reports of lomustine and other nitrosoureas affecting platelet function in people, and this could be considered a differential in dogs as well.

Source: Veterinary Record Case Reports

DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.70225

Authors: Andrew Schlueter, Rance Sellon

Institution: Washington State University

Language: English

Topic: Veterinary Oncology Research

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $1,480