Venereal tumor in skin and eye of young female Labrador dog

Abstract

Transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) is commonly observed in the external reproductive organs of sexually active canines. However, this tumor can unusually be identified in young dogs which have not reached reproductive capacity. In these latter animals, the tumor presentation is located in regions distant from the genitalia as integument and mucous membranes of body cavities. This study aimed to describe a case of TVT in a puppy dog. A seven month old female dog of the Labrador breed, had disseminated nodules in the skin and left conjunctival mucosa. Cytological examination of the proliferation was chosen, which led to the diagnosis of TVT. Since the dog showed no genital lesions, as she was impuberal, this was considered as an extragenital case. Chemotherapy protocol was established with vincristine sulfate, with complete remission of the lesion at the end of the fourth session. Later there was recurrence of the cutaneous TVT, being employed salvage therapy with vinblastine. However there was tumor resistance to such a drug. Surgical excision of the recurrent lesion was performed. It was demonstrated that TVT may also be adapted to other tissues and affect not only dogs at reproductive age, but also those at the pre-pubertal age.