Histiocytosis is a rare condition that stems from normal cells, histiocytes, in the body. In Bernese Mountain Dogs, they can develop cancerous tumors called histiocytic sarcomas. Other times Bernese Mountain Dogs will develop systemic (entire body) histiocytosis that is non-cancerous, but is progressive and debilitating. We’ll discuss both of these in Bernese Mountain Dogs, what to look for and how your pup can be treated.
What Is Histiocytosis?
In Bernese Mountain Dogs, there are two kinds of histiocytosis. There is a benign form known as cutaneous, or systemic histiocytosis. There is also an aggressive cancerous form known as malignant histiocytosis. The systemic form can be inherited or passed down from previous family members. However, some dogs will be affected independent of familial history.
It is unknown what stimulates the histiocytes, normal cells of the body, to start proliferating.1 You may notice nodules or growths anywhere on your dogs’ body, in the mouth, ears, etc. However sometimes the growths start internally on organs not visible to the naked eye. In the systemic form, these growths will wax and wane, sometimes spontaneously. Other times, the growth will not regress without medications. These episodes will occur throughout a dogs’ life, with each episode worse than the last.
With the malignant form, you may or may not notice the same things as with systemic histiocytosis. Oftentimes, there are no visible external lesions with the malignant form. However, the malignant form is extremely aggressive and progresses within weeks. The lesions and/or the abnormal signs do not wax and wane, but just worsen quickly and aggressively with most dogs passing away from the disease within months.
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What Are the Signs of Histiocytosis?
At first, you may notice one or multiple lumps under the skin on your dog. These lumps can range in size from small nodules up to larger masses. They can occur in other places than the skin, even in the eyes, nose and mouth. Sometimes there are only a few lumps that will grow and then regress in size. Other times these nodules can ulcerate, or rupture open. Your dog may then have multiple weeping, oozing lumps over their body. When this occurs, these areas can also become infected. You may notice yellow, brown, green or white discharge and/or an odor around these areas if that occurs.
In the Bernese Mountain Dog, they can get this disease everywhere in their body. In addition to the lumps described above, your dogs’ lymph nodes may also become enlarged. When your dog is having an episode, they can be very uncomfortable, tired, in addition to developing the infections discussed above.
Other Bernese Mountain Dogs may develop histiocytic sarcomas, or cancerous tumors. These will often appear as the benign form of histiocytosis in the beginning. However, it then spreads internally to other organs such as the liver and spleen. Other times the malignant form will not present itself externally and will only affect the organs such as the liver and spleen. In these cases, you may notice your dog losing weight, having a decreased appetite, lethargy or even a distended abdomen.
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What Are the Causes of Histiocytosis?
Histiocytes are normal cells in the body.2 They are part of the immune system group of cells called macrophages. In healthy animals, histiocytes are involved in a normal immune response to different triggers or stimuli. In histiocytosis, these cells will rapidly grow and proliferate. At this time, there is no known trigger to why this happens. Sometimes diseases such as leishmaniasis may be the cause but the overwhelming number of cases have no stimulus.3
In Bernese Mountain Dogs, the disease can be inherited. This is most common with systemic histiocytosis, though it can also occur with the malignant form. While other breeds can get the disease, Bernese Mountain Dogs are overwhelmingly represented. Why they are more prone to this disease is still being studied.
How Do I Care for a Bernese Mountain Dog with Histiocytosis
First, your veterinarian will need to accurately diagnose your dog so that they can best treat them. The only way to determine the cause of your dogs’ lumps is for your veterinarian to obtain a tissue sample and send it to the laboratory for a pathologist to look at. Typically, your dog will have either a local numbing agent applied to the area, or they will be sedated. A small tissue sample is then taken and a suture or two used to close the area.
Some forms of histiocytosis may respond to high doses of immunosuppressive drugs. In other words, drugs that turn down the bodies’ natural immune response so that the nodules will get smaller. This of course puts your dog at increased risk of infection from any source as their immune system has been dialed down. Many times, your dog will have to be put on a combination of immunosuppressive drugs until the best combinations and doses are found that work.
Unfortunately, if your Bernese Mountain Dog has the malignant form of histiocytosis, you may need to consult a veterinary oncologist. They can best discuss possible chemotherapy agents and their effectiveness. Unfortunately, the malignant form is extremely aggressive and not many medications or combinations of medications have been shown to be effective. However, your veterinary oncologist can best discuss the most up to date data.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can My Dog Be Cured?
No. This is a lifelong disease. If your dog is diagnosed with the benign form of histiocytosis, the events can hopefully be controlled and maintained with medications. As your dog ages, the episodes of systemic histiocytosis will worsen. However, if your dog is diagnosed with the malignant, cancerous form, the disease progresses quickly and is fatal.
Can Histiocytosis Spread to My Other Dogs?
No, neither the benign form or the malignant form are contagious. Even if the lesions ulcerate and become infected, there has been no reported spread of the secondary infection to other animals either.
Conclusion
Histiocytosis occurs from an unknown trigger that causes normal histiocytes of the body to rapidly proliferate. In Bernese Mountain dogs, they can suffer from a non-cancerous, or systemic form of histiocytosis. Bernese Mountain Dogs can also suffer from a highly aggressive malignant form of histiocytosis that is fatal within months. Dogs will grow nodules and/or masses anywhere in the body that may or may not be visible to the eye. Tissue evaluation at the laboratory is needed for diagnosis so that treatment can be recommended. Treatment is lifelong with the malignant form being fatal, and the systemic form progressing as your dog ages.
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