Canine Mammary Tumors: A Study on 12 Clinical Cases

Abstract

Introduction: Canine mammary tumors (CMTs) are the most prevalent neoplasms in female dogs, posing a substantial threat to their overall health and quality of life. The present study aimed to investigate the incidence, characteristics, and staging of canine mammary tumors in bitches presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Jos, Nigeria.
Materials and methods: Data from 12 dogs with CMTs presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospitals, University of Jos, Nigeria, from 2022 to 2023, including age and breed of the bitches, affected gland(s), size, weight, consistency, external appearance of the tumor, and staging were obtained. Data were categorized using the modified World Health Organization’s tumor-nodal involvement-metastasis (TNM) Classification.
Results: Among the 12 CMT cases studied, the findings revealed a high incidence (50%) in elderly dogs (8 years and older), with the Russian Shepherd breed being the most susceptible (50%). The CMTs were predominantly hard, encapsulated masses, measuring 4 to 20 centimeters and weighing 90 to 1000.6 grams. Six cases had a solitary (single) mass within a single gland, and the other half (6) had multiple (more than one) masses located either in a single mammary gland (multifocal) or in multiple (more than one) mammary glands (multicentric). Most of the tumors (67%) were located in the right mammary gland chain, and the inguinal mammary glands were highly susceptible (58%). Stage III tumors were the most prevalent and accounted for 42% of the cases.
Conclusion: The present study highlighted the importance of timely detection and diagnosis of CMTs, with a high prevalence of early-stage tumors (75%). Notably, 50% incidence of CMTs in Russian Shepherds suggested a potential breed predisposition and warrants further investigation.