Pancreatic neoplasias can be hard to diagnose and often it is not easy to differentiate between pancreatic tumors and acute pancreatitis. This case series can help because the most common clinical signs in the cats with neoplasia are listed.
Radiation therapy of oral melanomas in cats
Oral melanomas are known to be highly malignant and fast growing. The surgical therapy is due to the infiltration of the adjacent tissue often limited. A group from Cornell University evaluated radiation therapy as an alternative treatment. The good news: it works - the bad news: only for a short time.
Successful treatment of persistent oral papillomatosis with a recombinant oral vaccine
Papillomatosis is a commonly seen problem especially in young dogs. Fortunately, it heals spontaneously in most of the cases. In severe cases, the use of a subcutaneous applied vaccine has been recommended over years. They are very effective in most cases but they can increase the risk to develop squameous cell carcinomas at the injection site. Is the oral vaccine an alternative?
Photodynamic therapy in equine periocular squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinomas are malignant and often hard to treat, especially if they are found on anatomical sites like the periocular region: Aggressive surgery is impossible and aggressive radiotherapy is limited by the eye which is nearby. Is photodynamic therapy that is already successully used in other neoplasias a therapeutic option?
Masitinib in canine mast cell tumors
Mast cell tumors belong to the most common cutaneous neoplasias in dogs. Due to their variable clinical behaviour the selection of the adequate therapy can become difficult, and some of the therapies described are either ineffective or have a high rate of side effects. Is masitinib, a potent and selective inhibitor of the KIT receptor, a possible way? The activation of the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase is associated with the development of canine mast cell tumors (MCT). A fascinating therapeutic option used in more than 200 dogs!
Latent viral phase in horses with sarcoids?
Still sarocids are one of the most common reasons for euthanasia in horses and still they remain common and very specials neoplasias. In this very exciting case report, the colleagues from Davis, California, detected bovine papillomavirus type 1 or 2 not only in all sarcoids they examined, they also found them in clinically appearing normal skin from horses with sarcoids. What does this mean?
Calcified tumours of the paranasal sinuses in horses
Purulent nasal discharge as initial sign in horses - of course the differential diagnoses like Streptococcus equi and herpes virus infections come up immediately. But also a calcifying tumour of the paranasal sinuses can start with this symptoms, as this recently published case report from Australia illustrates!
Canine cerebellar leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (case report)
In most cases mammary carcinomas tend to spread in the lung or the spine - this manifestation in the cerebellum is very unusual but should be considered in bitches with malignant mammary neoplasias and epileptic seizures!
Canine Cutaneous Perivascular Wall Tumors
Perivascular wall tumors (PWTs) are defined as neoplasms deriving from mural cells of blood vessels, excluding the endothelial lining. In dogs, they are often hemangiopericytomas and can be difficult to diagnose and to treat. The spectrum of human cutaneous PWT includes glomus tumor, hemangiopericytoma (HEP), myopericytoma, angioleiomyoma/sarcoma, angiomyofibroblastoma, and angiofibroma. In this study, clinical presentation, cytology, histopathology, and immunohistology of canine cutaneous PWT with cytology typical of canine HEP were reviewed.
Reconstruction of the lower eyelid in cats with squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma of the eyelids are not too rare in cats with non-pigmented eyelids. Whereas similar regions on the ear flaps can be treated with radical surgery or on the nasal planum can be treated with radiotherapy, the eyelid is a very special area. This novel technique for blepharoplasty allows to cover a tissue defect involving >/=50% of the lower eyelid - and sounds very promising.
Transposition of first digital pad for reconstruction of a soft tissue defect (case report)
Surgery of malignant tumors on legs, especially near carpal or tarsal joints, can be a challenge for the surgeon: If the correct wide margins are made, skin graft or flaps are mandatory to close the tissue defect. Sometimes the surgeon also needs a bit phantasy, as this very impressive case report from the UK shows!
Connexins 26 and 43 in canine hyperplastic and neoplastic mammary glands
The differentiation between neoplastic and hyperplastic mammary glands in dogs is sometimes difficult. Alterations in connexin expression have been associated with oncogenesis; reported studies in rodent and human mammary glands, which normally express connexins 26 and 43, confirm these alterations in malignancies. Is the same true for dogs?
Advances in mast cell tumour diagnosis and therapy
Mast cell tumours are one of the most common tumours of the canine skin and have a reputation for being difficult to manage because of their variable clinical presentation, behaviour and response to treatment. The stem cell factor receptor KIT seems to play a central role in the aetiology, as recent studies showed - which might offer new therapeutic options in the future.
Survival time in dogs with non-treated nasal carcinomas
Not all owners of dogs with malignant nasal tumors agree to perform surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Less is known about the survival time of dogs receiving no or only palliative therapy. A large and very informative study provides more informations to give to the owners of affected dogs.
Paraneoplastic alopecia associated with liver carcinoma in a cat (case report)
Paraneoplastic alopecia is a very special and not too rare disease affecting mainly middle-aged or older cats. In the majority of cases it is associated with a pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In this very interesting patient, the tumour was found within the liver.
Are mast cell tumors in the groin or perineal region more aggressive than elsewhere?
Some studies indicate that canine mast cell tumors in the inguinal and perineal region have a worse prognosis than those in other cutaneous region - and nobody has an explanation for this. But is it really true? A very interesting study on more than 100 dogs has other results...
Mitotic index and the survival time in canine cutaneous mast cell tumors
Mast cell tumors are common in dogs. Often they cannot be staged adequately and a prognosis cannot be given. This new survey from the USA shows that the mitotic index is an excellent parameter to give informations about the survival time.
Stromal tumors in the gastrointestinal tract of equids
Gastrointestinal neoplasias are sometimes seen in older horses, and they often are asymptomatic. Which kind of neoplasma is the most common? An interesting study including neoplasias of 11 animals shows that gastrointestinal stromal tumors are not only a problem in humans and dogs but also in equids.
Osteosarcoma in horses
In dogs osteosarcoma is a common tumor mostly affecting the legs of young to middle-aged animals of large or giant breeds. In horses, osteosarcoma is a rare tumor, with the majority of reported cases occurring in the head, and, more specifically, in the mandible of young horses. A very interesting recently published article!
Maropitant in the treatment of cisplatin-induced emesis in dogs
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a common side-effect of cisplatin therapy. Various symptomatic therapies are used if this drug is given in a chemotherapy protocol. Is this new injectable drug a good choice not only for therapy but also for prevention?
Reevaluation of the 2-Year Protocol for Treating Canine Lymphosarcoma
Canine lymphosarcomas are common neoplasias which tend to respond very well to chemotherapy. Various treatment protocols are used worldwide, and the 2-year-protocol of the University of Wisconsin is a common one. This interesting study reevaluates the data of nearly 100 dogs...
Malignant ameloblastic fibro-odontoma in a Collie (case report)
An old dog which is presented with a swelling of the face - the first differential diagnosis is without doubt a teeth problem, the second epulis. But both is not the case: it is a highly malignant tumor which already metastatasized in various organs. A very informative case report from Japan!
Epithelioid variant of hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma in various species
Epithelioid hemangiomas, hemangioendotheliomas, and angiosarcomas are well recognized histologic variants of endothelial tumors in humans that in the past have been confused with neoplasms of epithelial or histiocytic origin. This brandnew article describes a novel group of vascular tumors in domestic animals of which there are only 3 previous cases reported in the veterinary literature!
New canine osteosarcoma cell line
Osteosarcomas are common tumours in dogs, and although various treatments are described the prognosis remains guarded. Establishing a canine osteosarcoma (OSA) cell line can be useful to develop in vivo and in vitro models of OSA. The goal of this study was to develop, characterize and authenticate a new canine OSA cell line and a clone. A very interesting publication from California.
Chemotherapy plus half-body radiation therapy for canine lymphoma
The combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is commonly used in human medicine: The radiotherapy mainly is thought to decrease the size of the primary tumor, chemotherapy mainly acts against metastases. It is not a common combination in one of the most common canine malignant tumors, malignant lymphoma. Is it an indication for this therapy? A very interesting study including nearly 100 dogs.
Recurrence rate of surgically excised grade II mast cell-tumors
Mast cell tumors are a common problem in dogs and it often happens that they are not diagnosed before surgery. So the question raises after the histopathological diagnosis comes back whether there is a second surgery and/or a radiation therapy indicated. This study gives important informations regarding this decision!
Intestinal T-cell lymphoma in dogs
Among the intestinal tumors of hematopoietic cell origin, lymphoma is the most common in the dog. This eleven cases including study gives interesting new insights in this disease - for example that these tumors always affected the small intestine, attracted eosinophils and resembled mast cell tumors.
Prognostic factors in multiple cutaneous mast cell tumours
Multiple tumours have a better prognosis. They are associated with a low rate of metastasis and show a good prognosis for long-term survival, when they are excised adequately. This is one of the surprising results of this very informative study from Colorado which was published recently.
Bilateral salivary adenocarcinoma with multiple metastases in a cat
Salivary gland tumors sometimes occur in dogs but they are very rare in cats. The patient described in this case report was presented with very unspecific clinical signs like coughing and dysphagia so that the diagnosis was difficult to do. Very informative case report from Italy.
Lineage differentiation of canine lymphoma/leukemias
Generalized or multisystemic lymphomas belong to the most frequent malignant neoplasias in dogs. In this very interesting study, multiparameter flow cytometry analysis and specific cluster differentiation (CD) molecules were used to determine the expression profiles of B- and T-cell antigens on lymph node preparations from 59 dogs with generalized or multisystemic lymphoma - and a diagnostic marker for malignancy was found.
Partial esophagectomy in esophageal sarcomas in dogs
Esophageal malignant neoplasias are less common in dogs than in humans but they occur, and often they represent sarcomas. They are extremely difficult to treat if they are located at the caudal part of the esophagus. An interesting study from Israel describes partial esophagectomy as a therapeutic option.
Biphasic synovial sarcoma in a young dog: pathologic features
A tumor in the elbow joint of a 2 year-old Rottweiler. An osteosarcoma is much more common and the first differential diagnosis in this case. A very interesting and informative characterization of this rare tumour is given in this case report.
Canine Hemophagocytic Histiocytic Sarcoma
Histiocytic disorders of dogs are various, and the malignant and generalised forms often affect certain breeds, especially Bernese Mountain Dogs. This newly described tumor is arising from the macrophages and once again mainly affects this breed. A very interesting brandnew study!
Cutaneous and mucocutaneous plasmacytomas in dogs
These tumours are not too common but can be very fascinating. This excellent study gives a lot of new insights: Wchich breeds are overrepresented, which localisations are the most common etc. etc. Very interesting and useful for the daily practice.
Mast cells and angiogenesis in canine melanomas - prognostic factors
Mast cells are commonly found in canine melanomas, and their biological significance is not clear. But since melanomas belong to the most malignant canine neoplasias, it should be cleared what mast cells do and if they are of prognostic significance for the patient. A very interesting study from Zimbabwe gives new insights!
Conjunctival hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma in the dog
Conjunctival tumors of vascular endothelial origin in the dog are common but often not diagnosed. What is the epidemiology and are there risk factors for these tumors? A very interesting new study including more than 100 cases! With interesting results - UV light for example seems to be a strong risk factor!
Uveal metastasis of a primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma
Primary malignant pulmonary neoplasias are not too common in dogs, and surely it is not common for them to metastasize in eye, brain and adrenal gland. A very interesting case report of a dog presented with seizures!
Vascular hamartoma in a horse
A young horse showing lameness of a hind limb for more than 8 weeks: There are many very likely mainly orthopedic differentials that have to be considered. But in this case, an extremely rare and benign neoplasia in the subcutis is the reason for the problem. A very interesting case report from Iran!
Correlation of CT-MRI and histopathology in dogs with brain neoplasms
Brain tumours in dogs can be very hard to diagnose, and new diagnostic techniques like CT and MRI are thought to be superior to x-rays. This very interesting study evaluates the correlation of the diagnostic results with the histopathology. The correlation was better than suspected, especially with contrast enhancement.
Indolent Nodular Lymphoma in Dogs
Lymphomas in dogs belong to the most common malignant neoplasias which are seen in small animal practice. This brandnew article gives informations about the type of lymphocytes involved in these indolent lymphoid proliferations. Very interesting - and hopefully these insights will help to develop effective therapies in the future!
Pugs and mast cell tumours
Pugs are very special dogs. They seem to be at increased risk to develop mast cell tumours and these tumours tend to a special behaviour in this breed. An extremely important evaluation with surprising results!
Cerebellar myxoid type meningioma in a dog
It is a very rare tumor in the brain leading to really nonspecific signs like ataxia and trembling. A very informative case report from Japan showing how such a mass can be diagnosed in vivo - not only postmortal.
Carboplatin in canine tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma
Canine tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis. Various therapies have been tried in the past. Is carboplatin of any benefit? A very interesting retrospective study from Great Britain.
Partial foot amputation in dogs
Is it a therapy that can be recommended if the patient shows malignant neoplasma of digit or feet, or is a complete amputation the therapy of choice? A very important question since malignant neoplasias in this region are quite common.
Mast cells and angiogenesis in canine melanomas
Melanoma are common neoplasias especially in dogs with no or mild pigmentation. Often mast cells can be found in these tumours, and the biological significance of mast cells and angiogenesis in canine melanomas is unclear. A very interesting recently published study from Zimbabwe offers new insights...
Immunhistochemistry in canine unidentified round cell tumors
A well-known phenomenon: A noeplasia is excided and sent to the histopathologist, but the diagnosis is a malignant round cell tumor which cannot be identified exactly. Indeed many of these neoplasias can look very similar. But there are certain methods which help to identify about 80 percent of these difficult neoplasias. Very informative!
First gastric carcinoid in a cat
An old cat with chronic vomitus and chronic renal failure. Nothing else to diagnose?! Not in this cat: it was suffering from a gastric carcinoid, and the complete excision stopped the vomitus immediately, but unfortunately did not improve the kidney function. A very interesting case description!
Thyroid carcinoma in dogs - is surgical resection sufficient?
An important question - thyroid carcinomas in dogs are not too common and can be extremly difficult to resect. So it is important to know before planning surgery which prognosis and which concurrent therapy should be recommended to the owner.
Vaccine-induced rhabdomyosarcoma in a cat
Vaccine-induced fibrosarcomas are well-known in feline practice. This is a very interesting other vaccine-induced problem: a rhabdomyosarcoma which also invaded the spine and caused metastases in the lung.
Gastric adenocarcinomas and leiomyosarcomas
Gastric adenocarcinomas and leiomyosarcomas are occasionally seen in dogs. How often and where do they metastasize, how are metastases detected best, and how is the long-term progrnosis? These questions and many others are answered in this excellent retrospective study.
Colorectal plasmocytomas - how do they behave?
Colorectal plasmocytomas are uncommon neoplasias. But when they occur, it is impotant to know how to treat them best: Just wait and see? Do a normal resection or a resection with wide margins which is very difficult in this region? A very informative recently published study.
ACTH tests in dogs with different neoplasia
Neoplasia are sometimes diagnosed in dogs. Do they influence the plasma endogenous ACTH levels and the results of ACTH stimulation tests? An important question which is now answered by this brandnew study in which adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation tests were done in healthy and tumour-bearing dogs. One of the results: 15% of the lymphoma patients had increased serum basal cortisol levels!
Collie eye anomaly in a non-Collie breed
Collie eye anomaly is a well-described problem in collies but not known in other breeds. This very interesting case report describes a dog with tetraparesis which was not a collie and showed a bilateral optic nerve coloboma and severe choroidal hypoplasia and also a lymphoma within the spinal cord. Is there a relationship between these two findings?
Gemcitabine as radiosensitizer for nonresectable oral SCC in cats
Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) in the oral cavity of cats are fairly common seen. When diagnosed, they are often in a nonresectable stage, and they tend to response very poor to chemotherapy. This small study on eight cats describes a very interesting and rather effective therapeutic alternative: a radiosensitizer plus radiotherapy!
Multicentric intravascular lymphoma in the nervous system of a dog (case report)
Multicentric lymphomas belong to the most common diagnosed neoplasias in the dog and tend to respond very well to chemotherapy. This is a very unusual case: First, the lymphoma was intravascular, affecting central and peripheral nervous system and leading to neurological signs. Second, it progressed despite chemotherapy was performed. A very interesting case!
Ectopic secretion of GHRH
Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) is normally secreted in the hypothalamus. This excellent article describes diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine tumors in the hypothalamus, leading to excessive production of GHRH. Very interesting!
MRI in the differentiation between neoplastic and non-neoplastic brain lesions
Brain lesions remain a diagnostic problem in small animals. Unfortunately, it makes a big therapeutic and prognostic difference whether the problems are neoplastic or inflammatory. Is MRI as a new promising technique really helpful? An interesting study from the UK!
Acromegaly in cats
Acromegaly is a rare problem in cats. But when it occurs, it is often caused by a pituitary neoplasia and can be very difficult to diagnose. One interesting and reliable sign: insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus!
Glioblastoma multiforme in dogs
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a World Health Organization grade IV astrocytoma, is the most common primary brain tumor in humans. It is far less common in dogs (only about 5% of all astrocytomas which are per se rare tumors). In this very intersting article clinical, neuroimaging, and neuropathologic findings in five dogs with GBM are described.
Malignant craniopharyngioma in two cats: histopathological findings
Malignant craniopharyngiomad are rare neoplasias which are described in different animal species. This recently published case report describes the unique histopathological findings of this neoplasia. Very interesting!
Skin myxoma in a dog (case report)
An extremely rare neoplasia in dogs! This very interesting case report describes a terrier from Iran which was presented with a large mass on a hindleg without any systemic signs. Surgical removal was curative.
Acute granulocytic ehrlichiosis in a dog (case report)
Acute granulocytic ehrlichiosis is not too rare in dogs. But did you know that it can resemble an acute pancreatitis? A very interesting case report that has been published recently!
Skin metastases of a bronchial adenocarcinoma in a cat (case report)
Skin metastases of adenocarcinomas are sometimes seen in dogs, most often deriving from a primary mammary adenocarcinoma. This description of a metastatic bronchial adenocarcinoma in a cat is very interesting and seems to be unique. Or do some of our “miliary dermatitis” cats have skin tumours?
Osteosarcoma 11 years after TPO
TPO (triple pelvic osteotomy) has become a very popular and effective therapy in dogs with severe hip dysplasia. Are these dogs at an increased risk to develop osteosarcomas later in their life? A very interesting case report!
Malignant B-cell lymphoma of the Harder`s gland in a rabbit (case report)
Exophthalmos in rabbits is a rather common problem which can be due to several reasons. The most common is a retrobulbar abscess, often caused by dental problems. But as this interesting case report shows, also other differentials must be considered!
Mixed pancreatic acinar-endocrine carcinoma in a dog (case report)
Pancreatic carcinomas are commonly seen in small animal medicine. They tend to be highly malignant, most of them being adenocarcinomas. This brandnew case report describes the first known case of a mixed acinar-endocrine carcinoma of the pancreas in an older dog, presented with intermittent hypoglycemia as the first sign. Very exciting!
Successful stem-cell transplantation in a dog with cancer
It has become a routine procedure in human medicine over years now: Stem-cells are transplantated and allow patients with cancer to be cured or at least to benefit from this kind of therapy. Now the first dog with T-cell lymphoma, a golden Retriever, has been treated with a stem-cell transplant. A mile-stone in canine oncology!
Carboplatin and piroxicam in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder
Invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder is not too rare and unfortunately responds poorly to medical therapy. Combining platinum chemotherapy with a cyclooxygenase (cox) inhibitor has shown promise against canine TCC, where the disease closely mimics the human condition. Here is a new interesting study!
Hypercalcemia caused by oral neoplasia
Hypercalcemia in dogs can be caused by a variety of diseases, but this one is surely one of the less common differentials: an oral functional keratinizing ameloblastoma which caused a high serum parathyroid hormone-related peptide and consecutive hypercalcemia. A very interesting case - telling veterinarians they should always examine the oral cavity in dogs with hypercalcemia!
One or two doses of cisplatin in canine osteosarcoma?
Osteosarcomas, often affecting young dogs, still belong to the malignant neoplasias with the poorest prognosis and only a few therapeutic options. The local delivery cisplatin in a biodegradable polymer (after amputation) is one of the newer therapies. Is one treatment enough or are two treatments more effective?
Monoclonal gammopathies in dogs: the most common reasons
Monoclonal gammopathies in dogs are sometimes seen and can become a diagnostic problem. In this retrospective study, the most common reasons for this problem are evaluated. Very informative and useful!
Intestinal Mucinous Adenocarcinoma in a Dog (case report)
Chronic vomiting in an older dog with the presumed diagnosis intestinal neoplasia - this seems to be a `routine` case. But the laparatomy revealed surprising findings: an invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma affecting multiple organs. Very interesting case!
Heat shock proteins expression in canine skin tumors
Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are strongly implicated in the control of cell growth, differentiation and biological behaviour of many human cutaneous neoplasms. Less is known about them in veterinary medicine. Are they useful in differentiation of different skin tumors, like intracutaneous cornifying epithelioma and squamous cell carcinoma? A new and interesting study from Italy.
Piroxicam and carboplatin in canine oral non-tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinomas of the oral mucosa are known to be very aggressive and often very frustrating in their therapy. Does this combination of carboplatin and piroxicam coming from human medicine offer better therapeutic results than the current therapies? At least the preliminary results seems to be promising!
Hepatobiliary neuroendocrine carcinoma in cats
Not the most common neoplasia in cats - in this brandnew article 17 cats during a 10-year-period are described. But the article gives an extremely informative and interesting overview of the different tumor types and their characteristics. Unfortunately, most of the cats had a guarded prognosis - 14 of the 17 were euthanized during or short after surgery...
Total Skin Electron Beam Irradiation In Canine Mykosis Fungoides
Mykosis fungoides (Generalized cutaneous Tcell lymphoma, CTCL) is a neoplasia that sometimes is seen in older dogs. The diseases has many similarities to CTCL in humans who are treated with a special radiation therapy in the early stage of the disease. Could this therapy become an option also in dogs?
Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs and cats
Some years ago, heart diseases and gastric-dilatation/volvulus complex were more common reasons for death in dogs than cancer. But the times are changing: we have better therapies for cardiac diseases and better surgery for gastric volvulus additional to preventive gastropexy now, and dogs and cats nowadays have a longer life span than ever before. Today the oncologists in the USA estimate that almost 50 percent of geriatric dogs and 33 percent of cats will die of cancer.
New FDA report on Acrylamide
Acrylamide is a cancerogenic substance at least in laboratory animals. A lot is written and discussed about its creation, e.g. when french fries are made under high temperatures. But this substance can also be found in food additives, and so the FDA released a report concerning acrylamide some days ago.
Do eczema drugs increase the risk of cancer?
Tacrolimus (Protopic) and Pimecrolimus (Elidel) have become popular drugs to treat atopic eczema in humans, especially in children, and they are more and more used in certain skin disorders like DLE and atopic dermatitis in animals. Do they increase the risk to develop cancer like lymphomas? The FDA gave an official press release yesterday...
Piroxicam in transitional cell carcinoma of the canine bladder
Transitional cell carcinomas of the urinary bladder sometimes occur especially in older dogs. Often they are nonresecatable. Is piroxicam, a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, a therapy that can be recommended?
Retrobulbar malignant fibrous histiocytoma in a dog
Retrobulbar neoplasias are sometimes diagnosed in dogs and are sometimes difficult to treat. In this very interesting case report, surgical orbitotomy as the therapy of choice was performed. Still the metastatic potential of this neoplasia remains unclear so the dog might be euthanized because of metastasis.
Surgical therapy of scapular osteosarcomas
Scapular osteosarcomas in small animals are sometimes seen and their therapy is very difficult. Especially surgical therapy is not very popular, and there are not many data describing surgical therapies. But one should consider this therapeutical option at least in selected cases!
Surgical therapy in cats with middle ear tumours with brainstem extension
Middle ear tumours with or without neurological deficiencies are sometimes seen in cats, especially in older cats. Is it worth to treat these animals with ventral bulla osteotomy and craniectomy? It is, as this case report illustrates.
Partial or complete foot amputation in dogs?
Malignant tumors of the digits occur sometimes in dogs - often they are malignant melanomas or squamous cell carcinomas which sholud be excised widely. The discussion if the whole or a part of the leg or only a digit should be amputated is sometimes controversely even between surgeons. This retrospective study including 11 dogs might help to clear the situation.
Four Fraction Palliative Radiotherapy for Canine Osteosarcoma
Osteosarcomas are highly malignant neoplasias affecting especially middle aged dogs of large or giant breeds. Once diagnosed, the prognosis is guarded. Is the four fraction palliative radiotherapy offering favourable prognoses in those cases? The results of this study show that it might be effective for the palliation of clinical signs and prolong the survival time a little.
No health problems in search and rescue dogs from September 11,2001
This is the result of an ongoing study of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine: They evaluated the incidence of cancer and respiratory diseases of 97 search and rescue dogs that worked at sites September 11, 2001.
Emphysematous prostatitis in a dog
Prostatitis, prostatic cysts and abscesses are common problems especially in middle aged or older dogs. Normally, their diganosis is not too difficult. This extremely interesting case report describes an emphysematous prostatitis which seems to be unique in the current literature.
Promising therapy of canine haemangiosarcoma with suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid
Haemangiosarcoma is one of the most common and most aggressive tumours in dogs which is growing slowly and asymptomatical. Once the diagnosis is made, the prognosis in guarded with a median survival time from about 3 months. In this case report the dog treated with a new deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor given orally had a survival time from more than 3 years...
The pre-surgical work-up of tumor patients
The removal of neoplasms is one of the most common surgical techniques. But remember that some of these neoplasms are highly malignant and some types of them cause paraneoplastic syndromes that need to be handled before and during surgery. This excellent summary shows what every surgeon should consider before taking the scalpel!
Sonographic characteristics of abdominal histiocytic neoplasms in dogs
Histiocytic neoplasms sometimes are dignosed in dogs, especially in animals with malignant histiocytosis like Bernes Mountain dogs, Golden retrievers, Boxers and so on. Often they are hard to diagnose, especially if they are in the abdomen. Does ultrasound give a veritable help?
Non-coherent light - a good alternative in treatment of superficial tumours?
Light therapy is very popular in human medicine and getting more important also in animals. So this brandnew study measures the effect of a 665-nm red light from a non-coherent light source or a dye laser in the treatment of superficial tumours. The result: surprising!
Prednisolone plus radiotherapy for canine mast cell tumours
Mast cell tumours are common neoplasias in dogs. If possible, surgery is the therapy of choice, often followed by chemotherapy. But what if the mast cell tumours are non-resectable and classified as grade III? Is the combination of prednisolone and radiotherapy superior to other therapies?
Intercalary Bone Grafts for Joint and Limb Preservation in dogs with malignant bone tumors
Malignant bone tumors, especially osteosarcomas, are common in large or giant breeds and mainly affect the diaphysis. Although several therapeutic regimen exist, the prognosis remains guarded and most protocols recommend radical amputation of the limb. This brand new surgical technique offers promising therapeutic alternatives - without amputation.
Chronic recurrent cystitis or transitional cell carcinoma - the differentiation
Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most common urinary tract tumor in dogs and research suggests that it may becoming more common. Often TCC is misdiagnosed as a chronic cystitis - unfortunately the tumors tend to be secondary infected. This article gives an excellent summary about the diagnosis of TCC including a new urine screening test.
Conjunctival B-cell lymphoma in a cat
An unusual bilateral conjunctival neoplasia is described in this brand new article. The histopathological diagnosis of lymphoma could also be confirmed by immunohistochemistry.
Intravascular lymphoma in a dog (case report)
Lymphomas belong to the most common and also most aggressive neoplasias in dogs. But in this animal, the signs are very unusual and consist in both neurological and hematological problems. Also uncommon: the diagnosis was made antemortem...
Primary intratracheal lymphosarcoma in cats
Cats are often presented with respiratory signs. A popular diagnosis is `cat flu`. But a very important and possibly underdiagnosed reason are malignant neoplasias, as this study demonstrates...
Iridium brachytherapy plus surgery in canine mast cell tumors
Cutaneous mast cell tumors in dogs are frequently seen. Although different therapeutic regimen are described, the results are often not satisfactory. This retrospective study describes a new therapy, a combination of Iridium radiotherapy and surgery. Is this the new therapy of choice?
Pancreatic adenocarcinomas in cats
Pancreatic adenoacarcinomas are not very common but have an extremely poor prognosis. What are the most common clinical signs, and how are the tumors best diagnosed? This case series gives some clues.
Carmustine instead of cyclophosphamide in canine lymphoma
The combination of vincristine, prednisone and cyclophosphamide is one of most popular treatment protocols for canine malignant lymphoma. In this recently published study, cyclophosphamide was replaced by carmustine which is a nonphase-specific alkylating agent. Marked neutropenia was one of its main side effects.
Transitional cell carcinoma in dogs - update in diagnosis and therapy
Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most common urinary tract tumor in dogs and research suggests that it may becoming more common. The main differential diagnosis and also the most common `misdiagnosis` is chronic recurrent cystitis. This excellent article gives an overview of the current diagnostic and therapeutic options.
Pericardial effusion - cave lymphosarcoma
Pericardial effusion (PE) is in the list of differential diagnoses when a patient presents with weakness or collapse, weak pulses and muffled heart sounds. Many differentials must be considered, but this recently published study shows that one should never forget to put cardiac or pericardial lymphosarcoma on the list of differentials...
No higher incidence of diseases in rescue dogs from September 9th
More than 4 years after September 9th 2001 the University of Pennsylvania gives preliminary results of a still ongoing study in rescue dogs: Do the dogs `working` on Pentagon and World Trade Center show an increased rate of diseases today, especially of clinical signs of nasal or respiratory cancers? A question which is also of enormous interest for men...
