North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) Practice Test

What common clinical sign is associated with transitional cell carcinoma in older dogs?

1. Fever and vomiting

2. Hematuria and pollakiuria

3. Weight gain and lethargy

4. Vomiting and diarrhea

The correct answer is: Hematuria and pollakiuria

Transitional cell carcinoma, particularly in older dogs, is most commonly associated with hematuria (blood in the urine) and pollakiuria (frequent urination). These clinical signs occur due to the irritation and alteration of the urinary bladder caused by the tumor, which can lead to bleeding and an increased urge to urinate. The presence of blood in the urine is a direct result of the tumor's impact on the bladder lining, while pollakiuria reflects the irritation and inflammation in the bladder wall, prompting the animal to urinate more frequently, often with reduced urine volume each time. Fever and vomiting, weight gain and lethargy, or vomiting and diarrhea are not typical consequences of transitional cell carcinoma in dogs and are less specific. While systemic signs like lethargy can be associated with many diseases, they don't directly link to this specific cancer type, making hematuria and pollakiuria the hallmark clinical signs in affected dogs.