Cytopathology of Extragenital Transmissible Venereal Tumour in a Dog in Lusaka, Zambia

  • Girja Shanker Pandey Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia
  • Careen Hankanga Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia
  • Farai Phiri Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia
  • Mercy Mfula Chipolo Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia
  • Racheal Mwenda Department of Para-clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia
  • Noanga Mebelo Department of Para-clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia
Keywords: Extragenital TVT, Dog, Haemato-Biochemistry, Cytopathology, Diagnosis, Zambia

Abstract

Transmissible Venereal Tumour (TVT), a round cell tumour probably originating from genetic alteration of canine histiocytes, is a horizontally and sexually transmitted disease that affects dogs and other canids. There is no published report on extragenital TVT among dogs in Zambia. The present case reports the cytopathology and haemato-biochemistry of an extragenital TVT, without primary genital involvement in a 4-year-old male dog in Lusaka, Zambia. There were a total of 18 cutaneous immobile nodules ranging in size from 25 to 57 mm on the dorsal and ventral aspects of the body, and no ulceration or bleeding was observed. Haemato-biochemistry revealed anaemia, thrombocytopaenia, hyperproteinaemia, increased blood creatinine and urea nitrogen. Based on cytology, TVT of the lymphoid subtype was diagnosed, ruling out suspicion of cutaneous lymphoma or histiocytoma. Definitive diagnosis was easily based on physical examination and cytological findings of typical TVT cells in exfoliated cells through FNAC, which is a rapid, reliable, efficient, cost-favourable and more conclusive hastening intervention than waiting for histopathology. Our findings emphasise the need to consider TVT on the differential diagnosis list for masses in extragenital sites in dogs from geographic regions where TVT is prevalent.

Author Biographies

Girja Shanker Pandey, Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia
Professor, Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia
Careen Hankanga, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia
Senior Lecturer, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia
Farai Phiri, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia
Clinic Manager, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia
Mercy Mfula Chipolo, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia
House Surgeon, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of zambia
Racheal Mwenda, Department of Para-clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia
Lecturer, Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia
Noanga Mebelo, Department of Para-clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia
House Surgeon. Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia

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Published
2023-11-24
How to Cite
1.
Pandey G, Hankanga C, Phiri F, Chipolo M, Mwenda R, Mebelo N. Cytopathology of Extragenital Transmissible Venereal Tumour in a Dog in Lusaka, Zambia. Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences [Internet]. 24Nov.2023 [cited 7Jul.2025];7(1). Available from: https://journals.unza.zm/index.php/JABS/article/view/1093
Section
Veterinary Medicine