Primary Vertebral Osteosarcoma Treated with Debulking Surgery in Three Dogs

Abstract

Primary vertebral osteosarcoma (PVO) is a rare disease in dogs, and few reports have described the treatment or prognosis of canine PVO. This report describes three dogs with PVO treated with debulking surgery. The first case involved a 12-year-old 10-kg female mongrel dog with progressive hind limb paralysis due to PVO at the L3 vertebra. Debulking surgery resulted in transient resolution of the paralysis, but the dog was euthanized 48 days after surgery because of progression of her neurological deficit. Case 2 involved an 8-year-old 15-kg female mongrel dog with acute hind limb paralysis due to PVO at the T12 vertebra. Debulking surgery followed by six carboplatin treatments resulted in maintenance of ambulatory function for more than 7 months after surgery. Case 3 involved a 10-year-old male Pembroke Welsh corgi with acute hind limb paralysis likely associated with PVO at the T5 vertebra. The dog’s neurological deficit did not improve after debulking surgery and he died 27 days later. Debulking surgery may be of value in dogs with PVO as a diagnostic or palliative procedure, but the postsurgical prognosis seems to vary among individuals.