Reported in 2020, this case by Bamidele Jonathan Kolawole, U. Samuel, J. Erin, and Daniel Chidi Ifenkwe describes a 30-kg bull mastiff brought to the Khola Veterinary Clinic in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria, with a protruding penile mass. The clinical history revealed that the dog had mated two bitches, one of which had previously been treated for transmissible venereal tumor (TVT). The same bitch later redeveloped lesions after whelping, suggesting ongoing infection risk.
The bull mastiff developed a penile mass about 10 months after mating with the TVT-affected bitch. Although the mass initially responded to vincristine therapy, it recurred two months after each treatment, appearing progressively more severe. Despite the tumor, the dog maintained normal behavior, appetite, and vital parameters.
Clinical examination revealed a pedunculated, multilobular mass on the shaft and caudal region of the penile mucosa. Cytological samples obtained via imprint smears were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin. Microscopic evaluation showed high cellularity and discrete tumor cells, confirming the diagnosis of CTVT.
The case was ultimately managed with surgical excision followed by vincristine administered at 0.05 mg/kg weekly for four weeks. The report highlights the challenges of recurrent CTVT and the importance of thorough follow-up, cytological confirmation, and combined therapeutic approaches in managing transmissible canine cancers.
Source: Kolawole, B. J., Samuel, U., Erin, J., & Ifenkwe, D. C. (2020). Canine transmissible venereal tumour in four-year-old bull mastiff dog: A case report. Published September 3, 2020. Authors affiliated with veterinary clinics and research programs in Nigeria.
