Veterinary Research Forum

Abstract Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is a clinically significant skin neoplasm in dogs, typically arising in areas exposed to chronic ultraviolet light. This report describes a 10-year-old intact male Pitbull dog weighing 33.00 kg that presented with a large, ulcerated, necrotic, and hemorrhagic mass in the inguinal mammary region. Initial hematological evaluation revealed marked leukocytosis with segmented neutrophilia, severe toxic changes, along with degenerated neutrophils observed in fine needle aspiration of the mass. Following a course of antibiotic therapy to control the severe infection, the mass was surgically excised using electrosurgery. The preoperative thoracic radiographs ruled out pulmonary metastasis. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of cutaneous SCC. Despite complete initial removal, tumor recurrence was noted seven months postoperatively. The owner declined further chemotherapy and surgical intervention. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the surgical, radiological, and histopathological findings of a massive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma located in the ventral abdominal mammary region in a male Pitbull dog.

Abstract Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and more specifically tonsillar SCC are generally regarded as locally invasive with various rates of metastasis. A 13-year-old male Lhasa Apso was referred to the clinic with an unusual mass on his left tonsil and abnormal lumps under the tongue. The dog's food and water intake, breathing and heart rates, body temperature, capillary refill time, and blood tests were normal. A biopsy of abnormal tissue and immunohistochemical analysis were performed. Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluations confirmed the basaloid SCC. Some treatments like surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are used to treat a specific tumor or area of the body. However, in this particular case, chemotherapy was not administered. Considering that dogs with tonsillar cancer generally have a poor to guarded prognosis and a short life expectancy, this case was euthanized after one year with the owner's consent due to the significant tumor enlargement.

Abstract A five-year-old female African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was referred for a one month growing oral mass. The hedgehog was quiet, alert and responsive, with a 1.00 × 1.50 cm ulcerated lesion on the mandible. The patient was staged with total body radiographs, hematological and biochemical analyses and the mass was biopsied under anesthesia. The excised tissue was reported to be a squamous cell carcinoma. At this time, due to the extension of the mass, a surgical excision was not a therapeutic option and the tumor was palliated with electrochemotherapy (ECT). Monthly sessions of ECT were performed using intra-lesional bleomycin injection followed by trains of biphasic electric pulses. The treatment was well tolerated and the patient remained in partial remission for five months until tumor progression. At that time the pet was euthanized. The ECT resulted in improved local control and should be considered as a possible adjuvant treatment in exotic pets with advanced tumors.