Splenic haemangiosarcoma with metastasis to the cervical musculature in an aged pony

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: An aged pony gelding presented with sudden onset of neck pain, depression and ataxia and weakness of the hindlegs, together with longer-term weight loss. Diagnostic procedures failed to isolate the cause of these signs and, despite symptomatic treatment, the animal's condition deteriorated until it required euthanasia.

NECROPSY FINDINGS: Post mortem examination revealed the presence of multiple splenic and hepatic haemangiosarco-mata, with metastases to the lung and dorsal cervical muscles overlying C1 and C2 vertebrae. No lesions were present in the spinal cord, spinal column or brain.

CONCLUSIONS: The weight loss and neck pain were explicable in terms of the sites and extent of the tumours, although it was unclear how the severe ataxia could have been produced by such lesions.

KEY WORDS:

• Horse
• ataxia
• haemangiosarcoma
• cervical muscle

Acknowledgement

We thank Pat Davey for the preparation of histological sections.