Clinico-Pathology and Therapeutic Management of a Primary Atypical Extra-Genital Ocular Transmissible Venereal Tumour in a Dog in Lusaka, Zambia
Keywords:
Extra-Genital, Ocular, CTVT, Cytopathology, Treatment, Zambia
Abstract
Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour (CTVT) is a contagious cancer commonly found in the genitalia of dogs, with rare extra-genital presentations, such as cutaneous, oral, nasal, and ocular forms. Extra-genital CTVT cases, especially in the ocular region, are infrequently reported, often leading to diagnostic challenges and underdiagnosis in regions with high prevalence.A two-year-old male German Shepherd mix was presented to the University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine, with a red, lobulated mass originating from the third eyelid of the right eye, causing partial vision loss and continuous lacrimation. Initial clinical examination suggested ocular squamous cell carcinoma. However, cytology and histopathology fi ndings from a tissue biopsy revealed round and ovoid neoplastic cells with large pleomorphic nuclei, leading to a defi nitive diagnosis of primary ocular CTVT. The dog exhibited no genital involvement or evidence of tumour spread to other sites. The dog was treated with vincristine sulphate administered intravenously in six doses over six weeks. Following the second dose, the patient experienced leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, decreased appetite, and weight loss, all common side effects of vincristine. Supportive care, including antibiotics, fluid therapy, and appetite stimulants, was provided, resulting in improved condition. By the end of the treatment, the ocular mass had completely regressed, vision was restored, and the dog remained in remission with no recurrence observed after twelve months. This case represents the first reported instance of primary ocular CTVT in Zambia without genital involvement. The successful use of vincristine sulphate highlights its efficacy in treating extra-genital CTVT forms. Given CTVT’s potential for atypical presentations, it is crucial for veterinarians in endemic areas to consider it in the differential diagnosis of extra-genital ocular masses to prevent under diagnosis and ensure timely treatmentReferences
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19. Singh, RS. and Sood, NK., Management of Primary Transmissible Venereal Tumor in Nasal Cavity of a Dog. Intas Polivet, 206;17(2):101-108..
20. Hiblu, MA., Khabuli, NM. and Gaja, A. Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour: First report of three clinical cases from Tripoli Libiya. Open Vet. J 2019; 9 (2): 103–105 doi: 10.4314/ovj.v9i2.1
21. Takiyama N., Terasaki, E. and Uechi, M. Corneal squamous cell carcinoma in two dogs. Vet. Ophthalmol. 2010;13(4):266–269.doi: 10.1111/j.1463-5224.2010.00792.x.
22. Sritrakoon, N., Maneesaay, P., Kasorndorkbua, C., Srisampan, S., Wongsali, C., Kunakornsawat S. and Thayananuphat. A. Intraocular transmissible venereal tumors in dogs: A retrospective review of 21 cases. Songklanakarin J. Sci. Technol. 2020; 42 (3), 608-614,
23. Gowtham, RM., Balagangatharathilagar, M. Chandrasekar, M and Subapriya, S. Successful management of ocular transmissible venereal tumor in a dog The Pharma Innovation Journal 2023; 12(8): 1640-1641
24. Fathi M., Ashry M., Ali, KM., Hassan A. and Elkarmoty, AF. Clinico-pathological evaluation and treatment outcomes of canine transmissible venereal tumor using three different protocols. Pak. Vet. J. 2018; 38(2):204-208. https://doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2018.044
25. Kumar, K, Jha, AK., Ray, K., Gautam, AK., Singh, D. Diagnosis of TVT with cell cytology and efficacy of treatment with Vincristine Sulfate in non- descriptive Indian canine breeds. Journal of Animal Research. 2021;11(55):1352-1355.
26. Pereira, JS, Silva, ABF, Martins, ALB., Ferreira, AMR. and Brooks, DE. Immunohistochemical characterization of intraocular metastasis of a canine transmissible venereal tumor. Vet Ophthalmol, 2000;3(1): 43-47, DOI: 10.1046/j.1463-5224.2000.00097.x
27. Chikweto, A, Kumthekar , S, Larkin H, Deallie C, Tiwari, KP., Sharma, RN, Bhaiyat, MI. (2013): Genital and extragenital canine transmissible venereal tumor in dogs in Grenada,WestIndies,OpenJVetMed,2013;3(2),111-114, DOI: 10.4236/ojvm.2013.32018
2. Behera, SK., Karade, NP., Mousang, SW., Das, DP., Mishra, KK. and Mohanta, RK. Veterinary Archiv. 2012; 82(4):401-410
3. Eze C, Anyanwu, H, Kene, R. Review of canine transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) in dogs. Nigerian Vet J 2007; 28: 54-70.
4. Ganguly B., Das, U., Das AK. Canine transmissible venereal tumour: a review. Vet. Comp. Oncol. 2016; 14:1–12.
5. Park, MS., Kim Y, Kang, MS., Oh, SY., Cho, DY., Shin, NS. and Kim, DY. Disseminated transmissible venereal tumor in a dog. J. Vet. Diagn. Invest, 2006;18 (1): 130-133, DOI: 10.1177/104063870601800123
6. Ostrander, EA., Davis, BW., Ostrander, GK. (2016). Transmissible tumors: breaking the cancer paradigm. Trends Genet. 2016; 32:1–15.
7. Milo J, and Snead, E. A case of ocular canine transmissible venereal tumor. Can Vet J, 2014; 55 (1): 1245-1249.
8. Ferreira, AJA., Jaggy, A., Varejäo, AP., Ferreira, MLP., Correia, JMJ., Mullas, JM., Almeida, O., Oliveira, P, Prada, J. Brain and ocular metastases from a transmissible venereal tumour in a dog. J. Small Anim. Pract, 2000;1: (4): 165- 168, 2000. DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2000.tb03187.x
9. Rodrigues, GN., Alessi, AC. and Laus, JL. Intraocular transmissible venereal tumor in a dog. Cienc Rural. 2001;31:141–143.
10. Abeka, YT,. (2019). Review on Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour (CTVT). Pandey, GS., Sharma, RN., and Chizyuka, HGB. Study of neoplasms of dogs in Zambia. Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa, 1983; 31:71–75.
11. Pandey, GS., Sharma, RN., and Chizyuka, HGB. Study of neoplasms of dogs in Zambia. Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa, 1983; 31:71–75.
12. Nalubamba, KS. Unusual Presentation of Extra-Genital Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor in an Adult Cross-Breed Dog – Palatine and Rectal Lesions without Primary Genital Lesions. J Vet Sci Med Diagn. 2015; 4:1. doi:10.4172/2325-9590.1000149
13. Pandey, GS., Hankanga, C., Phiri, F, Chipolo, MM., Racheal M. and Mebelo, N. Cytopathology of Extra-genital Transmissible Venereal Tumour in a dog in Lusaka, Zambia. UNZA J. Agric. & Biomedical Sci 2023;7(1).DOI: https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.7.1.1093
14. Pimentel, PAB., Oliveira, CSF and Horta, RS. (2021) Epidemiological study of canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT) in Brazil, 2000-2020, Prev. Vet Med. 2021;doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2021.105526
15. Costa, TS., Paiva FN., Manier BS., Araújo DC., Ribeiro GB., Fernandes JI. Epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of canine transmissible venereal tumor in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2015-2020) Pesqui.Veterinária. Bras. 2023; 43:e07189.
16. Ozgencil, FE., Dirilenoglu, F., Seyrek. İD., Gokçe, AP., Çiray, AG., Pilli, M., Gültekin, Ç. Çetinkaya, MA. and Mocan, G. Ocular transmissible venereal tumor in two dogs: Clinical and cyto-histopathological evaluation. Kafkas Univ Vet Fak Derg, 2020; 26 (4): 567-572, 2020. DOI: 10.9775/kvfd.2019.23843.
17. Laissaoui, N., Millan, Y, Betz, DS., Mrini, ME., Ghita, B., Lamalmi, N., Tligui, N. and Azrib, R. Canine transmissible venereal tumor in Morocco: Clinical and pathological findings in 64 dogs-insights from a descriptive epidemiological study (2020-2023) 2024; 14(5):1206-1215. doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2024.v14.i5.16.
18. Tella, MA, Ajala, OO. and Taiwo, VO. Complete regression of transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) in Nigerian mongrel dogs with vincristine sulphate chemotherapy. Afr. J. Biomed. Res. 2004;7:133–138
19. Singh, RS. and Sood, NK., Management of Primary Transmissible Venereal Tumor in Nasal Cavity of a Dog. Intas Polivet, 206;17(2):101-108..
20. Hiblu, MA., Khabuli, NM. and Gaja, A. Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour: First report of three clinical cases from Tripoli Libiya. Open Vet. J 2019; 9 (2): 103–105 doi: 10.4314/ovj.v9i2.1
21. Takiyama N., Terasaki, E. and Uechi, M. Corneal squamous cell carcinoma in two dogs. Vet. Ophthalmol. 2010;13(4):266–269.doi: 10.1111/j.1463-5224.2010.00792.x.
22. Sritrakoon, N., Maneesaay, P., Kasorndorkbua, C., Srisampan, S., Wongsali, C., Kunakornsawat S. and Thayananuphat. A. Intraocular transmissible venereal tumors in dogs: A retrospective review of 21 cases. Songklanakarin J. Sci. Technol. 2020; 42 (3), 608-614,
23. Gowtham, RM., Balagangatharathilagar, M. Chandrasekar, M and Subapriya, S. Successful management of ocular transmissible venereal tumor in a dog The Pharma Innovation Journal 2023; 12(8): 1640-1641
24. Fathi M., Ashry M., Ali, KM., Hassan A. and Elkarmoty, AF. Clinico-pathological evaluation and treatment outcomes of canine transmissible venereal tumor using three different protocols. Pak. Vet. J. 2018; 38(2):204-208. https://doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2018.044
25. Kumar, K, Jha, AK., Ray, K., Gautam, AK., Singh, D. Diagnosis of TVT with cell cytology and efficacy of treatment with Vincristine Sulfate in non- descriptive Indian canine breeds. Journal of Animal Research. 2021;11(55):1352-1355.
26. Pereira, JS, Silva, ABF, Martins, ALB., Ferreira, AMR. and Brooks, DE. Immunohistochemical characterization of intraocular metastasis of a canine transmissible venereal tumor. Vet Ophthalmol, 2000;3(1): 43-47, DOI: 10.1046/j.1463-5224.2000.00097.x
27. Chikweto, A, Kumthekar , S, Larkin H, Deallie C, Tiwari, KP., Sharma, RN, Bhaiyat, MI. (2013): Genital and extragenital canine transmissible venereal tumor in dogs in Grenada,WestIndies,OpenJVetMed,2013;3(2),111-114, DOI: 10.4236/ojvm.2013.32018
Published
2024-11-15
How to Cite
1.
Matale M, Hankanga C, Phiri F, Chipolo M, Mwandabantu M, Changula K, Pandey G. Clinico-Pathology and Therapeutic Management of a Primary Atypical Extra-Genital Ocular Transmissible Venereal Tumour in a Dog in Lusaka, Zambia. Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences [Internet]. 15Nov.2024 [cited 31Jul.2025];8(1). Available from: https://journals.unza.zm/index.php/JABS/article/view/1293
Section
Veterinary Medicine
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