Multiple myeloma in a horse.

This article talks about the presence of a rare, progressive, and terminal cancerous condition known as Multiple myeloma, which was diagnosed in a 22-year-old horse. The horse showed symptoms of chronic weight loss and upon testing, it was revealed that the horse had an abnormally high level of monoclonal immunoglobulin (IgG(T), 9,800 mg/dl). Unfortunately, the horse had to be euthanized due to failure to manage the weight loss.

Introduction to Multiple Myeloma

• Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that develops in the plasma cells found in the bone marrow. In this condition, the plasma cells become abnormal and multiply uncontrollably, leading to a range of complications.
• This disease is most commonly diagnosed in humans, although it is very rare in horses. This report talks about an unusual case of Multiple myeloma diagnosed in a 22-year-old Arabian mare.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

• The most prominent symptom of the horse was significant and continual weight loss, which unfortunately, couldn’t be managed effectively.
• Diagnosis of Multiple myeloma was done through quantitative immunoglobulin analysis. This particular horse showed the presence of monoclonal gammopathy, with an alarmingly high IgG(T) level of 9,800 mg/dl. Monoclonal gammopathy, an excess of specific immunoglobulins, is a key marker for this disease.

Disease Progression and Outcome

• The disease continued to progress as the horse was unable to gain weight. Due to the severity of the weight loss and the stress it was causing the horse, the decision was made to euthanize it.
• Upon autopsy, plasma cell infiltrates were found in various parts of the horse’s body including the bone marrow, spleen, pituitary gland, adrenal cortex, muscle of the tongue, and various lymph nodes.