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Vaccine-associated adverse events (VAAEs), including feline injection-site sarcomas (FISSs), occur only rarely but can be severe. Understanding potential VAAEs is an important part of informed owner consent for vaccination. In this review, the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD), a scientifically independent board of feline medicine experts, presents the current knowledge on VAAEs in cats, summarizing the literature and filling the gaps where scientific studies are missing with expert opinion to assist veterinarians in adopting the best vaccination practice. VAAEs are caused by an aberrant innate or adaptive immune reaction, excessive local reactions at the inoculation site, an error in administration, or failure in the manufacturing process. FISS, the most severe VAAE, can develop after vaccinations or injection of other substances. Although the most widely accepted hypothesis is that chronic inflammation triggers malignant transformation, the pathogenesis of FISS is not yet fully understood. No injectable vaccine is risk-free, and therefore, vaccination should be performed as often as necessary, but as infrequently as possible. Vaccines should be brought to room temperature prior to administration and injected at sites in which FISS surgery would likely be curative; the interscapular region should be avoided. Post-vaccinal monitoring is essential.

BACKGROUND: Canine mammary sarcomas (CMSs) are rarely diagnosed in female dogs, which explains the scarcity of immunohistochemical findings concerning those tumors. This paper presents the results of a retrospective study into CMSs and discusses the clinical features of the analyzed tumors, the expression of intermediate filaments CK, Vim, Des and α-SMA, and the expression of p63, Ki67, ERα, PR and p53 protein. RESULTS: Four percent of all canine mammary tumors (CMTs) were classified as CMSs, and they represented 5.1% of malignant CMTs. The mean age at diagnosis was 11.1 ± 2.8 years. Large breed dogs were more frequently affected (38.7%). The majority of observed CMSs were fibrosarcomas (2.1%). All CMSs expressed vimentin, and higher levels of vimentin expression were noted in fibrosarcomas and osteosarcomas. Ki67 expression was significantly correlated with the grade of CMS. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that CMSs form a heterogeneous group, therefore, immunohistochemical examinations could support differential and final diagnosis. Although this study analyzed a limited number of samples, the reported results can expand our knowledge about CMSs. Further work is required in this field.

Identifying genetic mutations contributing to solid tumors by altering the biological pathways related to tumor formation and development is essential for the development of targeted therapies. This study aimed to identify commonly mutated genes and altered pathways in canine solid tumors. Four dogs with different types of naturally occurring neoplasias (urothelial carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and chondrosarcoma) were randomly selected and classified into carcinoma and sarcoma groups based on histopathological findings. Tumor tissues were analyzed using whole-genome sequencing, and significant variants shared within each tumor group were identified. Gene set enrichment analyses were conducted to compare the biological and functional pathways altered by the mutations in each carcinoma and sarcoma group. Forty-three and fifty-eight genes were identified in the carcinoma and sarcoma groups, respectively. Distinctions between the two tumor groups were noted for mutations related to tumor metastatic function. Mutations were identified in genes encoding cell adhesion molecules in the carcinoma group, whereas significant variations in extracellular matrix-related molecules were evident in the sarcoma group. This study revealed mutations and modified pathways associated with immune and tumor metastatic functions in canine carcinoma and sarcoma, indicating their significant relevance to the development and progression of each tumor group. Additionally, the distinctions indicated that different therapeutic approaches were required for each tumor group.

In contrast to European countries, the overwhelming majority of dogs in the U.S. are neutered (including spaying), usually done before one year of age. Given the importance of gonadal hormones in growth and development, this cultural contrast invites an analysis of the multiple organ systems that may be adversely affected by neutering. Using a single breed-specific dataset, the objective was to examine the variables of gender and age at the time of neutering versus leaving dogs gonadally intact, on all diseases occurring with sufficient frequency for statistical analyses. Given its popularity and vulnerability to various cancers and joint disorders, the Golden Retriever was chosen for this study. Veterinary hospital records of 759 client-owned, intact and neutered female and male dogs, 1-8 years old, were examined for diagnoses of hip dysplasia (HD), cranial cruciate ligament tear (CCL), lymphosarcoma (LSA), hemangiosarcoma (HSA), and mast cell tumor (MCT). Patients were classified as intact, or neutered early (<12 mo) or late (≥12 mo). Statistical analyses involved survival analyses and incidence rate comparisons. Outcomes at the 5 percent level of significance are reported. Of early-neutered males, 10 percent were diagnosed with HD, double the occurrence in intact males. There were no cases of CCL diagnosed in intact males or females, but in early-neutered males and females the occurrences were 5 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Almost 10 percent of early-neutered males were diagnosed with LSA, 3 times more than intact males. The percentage of HSA cases in late-neutered females (about 8 percent) was 4 times more than intact and early-neutered females. There were no cases of MCT in intact females, but the occurrence was nearly 6 percent in late-neutered females. The results have health implications for Golden Retriever companion and service dogs, and for oncologists using dogs as models of cancers that occur in humans.

Background Long‐term use of doxorubicin (DOX) is limited by cumulative dose‐dependent cardiotoxicity. Objectives Identify plasma extracellular vesicle (EV)‐associated microRNAs (miRNAs) as a biomarker for cardiotoxicity in dogs by correlating changes with cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations and, echocardiographic and histologic findings. Animals Prospective study of 9 client‐owned dogs diagnosed with sarcoma and receiving DOX single‐agent chemotherapy (total of 5 DOX treatments). Dogs with clinically relevant metastatic disease, preexisting heart disease, or breeds predisposed to cardiomyopathy were excluded. Methods Serum concentration of cTnI was monitored before each treatment and 1 month after the treatment completion. Echocardiography was performed before treatments 1, 3, 5, and 1 month after completion. The EV‐miRNA was isolated and sequenced before treatments 1 and 3, and 1 month after completion. Results Linear mixed model analysis for repeated measurements was used to evaluate the effect of DOX. The miR‐107 (P = .03) and miR‐146a (P = .02) were significantly downregulated whereas miR‐502 (P = .02) was upregulated. Changes in miR‐502 were significant before administration of the third chemotherapeutic dose. When stratifying miRNA expression for change in left ventricular ejection fraction, upregulation of miR‐181d was noted (P = .01). Serum concentration of cTnI changed significantly but only 1 month after treatment completion, and concentrations correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular internal dimension in diastole. Conclusion and Clinical Significance Downregulation of miR‐502 was detected before significant changes in cTnI concentrations or echocardiographic parameters. Further validation using a larger sample size will be required.

Background This report presents a case of esophageal and nodal metastasis in a primary pulmonary histiocytic sarcoma in a dog. Histiocytic sarcoma is a malignant neoplasm originating from histiocytic cells, characterized by its aggressive nature, high metastatic potential and high mortality rate. Pulmonary involvement occasionally results in pleural effusion and regional lymph node involvement, such as the tracheobronchial, sternal, and mediastinal lymph nodes. Thoracic radiography is the preferred complementary diagnostic test when respiratory disorders are suspected, as it can identify pulmonary masses and associated complications, such as pleural effusion. Similarly, ultrasonography can be used when pulmonary conditions are suspected, helping to differentiate lesions. Case presentation A one-year-old, intact male mixed-breed dog weighing 18 kg was referred for emergency clinical care due to severe inspiratory dyspnea. Thoracic radiography and ultrasonography revealed a large intrathoracic mass located in the mediastinum, displacing adjacent structures, along with associated pleural effusion. The primary diagnostic hypothesis was a neoplasm of cranial mediastinal origin. During the thoracocentesis procedure, the animal decompensated and died. Necropsy revealed a large, multilobulated tumor mass in the mediastinum, showing direct extension into the esophagus, as well as another nodule similar to the mediastinal mass in the left caudal lung lobe. Histopathological analysis supported the diagnosis of pulmonary histiocytic sarcoma with esophageal and nodal metastasis, confirmed through an immunohistochemical panel. Conclusions The involvement of cranial mediastinal and tracheobronchial lymph nodes, as well as the presence of pleural effusion, are common features associated with HS. However, the occurrence of esophageal metastases is considered uncommon, highlighting the uniqueness of this case, as well as supporting the potential for its occurrence. Thoracic radiography and ultrasonography played a crucial role in the initial suspicion of neoplasia, emphasizing their importance in early diagnostic approaches.

To date, to our knowledge, no cases of malignant cancer have been reported in dinosaurs with sufficient reliability to be considered confirmed, at least by modern medical standards, which require biopsy and examination at the cellular level. Specifically, these diagnoses included (1) fracture, which was rejected because of the extension of abnormal bone very distal to the lesion despite more normal cortex in this location and the lack of a proximal fracture fragment; (2) osteomyelitis, which was rejected because of a lack of characteristic pockmarking and the bone-forming nature of the lesion; (3) non-ossifying fibroma, which was rejected because of the highly disorganised bone and no well defined zone of transition; and (4) osteochondroma, which was rejected given that the lesion clearly does not arise from or near a physis. [...]our findings indicate the presence of an osteosarcoma, meeting all the criteria discussed in terms of the morphological, radiological, and histological confirmation of this diagnosis. [...]to our knowledge, we provide the first confirmed case of malignant bone cancer in a dinosaur.

Soft tissue sarcomas are pleiotropic tumors of mesenchymal cell origin. These tumors are rare in humans but common in veterinary practice, where they comprise up to 15% of canine skin and subcutaneous cancers. Because they present similar morphologies, primary sites, and growth characteristics, they are treated similarly, generally by surgical resection followed by radiation therapy. Previous studies have examined a variety of genetic changes as potential drivers of tumorigenesis and progression in soft tissue sarcomas as well as their use as markers for soft tissue sarcoma subtypes. However, few studies employing next generation sequencing approaches have been published. Here, we have examined gene expression patterns in canine soft tissue sarcomas using RNA-seq analysis of samples obtained from archived formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tumors. We provide a computational framework for using resulting data to categorize tumors, perform cross species comparisons and identify genetic changes associated with tumorigenesis. Functional overrepresentation analysis of differentially expressed genes further implicate both common and tumor-type specific transcription factors as potential mediators of tumorigenesis and aggression. Implications for tumor-type specific therapies are discussed. Our results illustrate the potential utility of this approach for the discovery of new therapeutic approaches to the management of canine soft tissue sarcomas and support the view that both common and tumor-type specific mechanisms drive the development of these tumors.

Background Spinal neoplasms are sparsely documented in juvenile dogs. Case reports and small case series have described nephroblastomas, primitive neuroectodermal tumours, gliomas, certain sarcomas, and osteochondromas, but round cell sarcomas have not previously been documented. Case presentation This case report describes a 10-week-old female Rottweiler puppy with acute onset of progressive ataxia and pelvic limb lameness. Neurological examination localised a T3-L3 myelopathy and MRI revealed an ovoid, well-marginated mass extending from mid L3 to caudal L4 vertebrae. Post-mortem examination, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry confirmed a round cell sarcoma of extradural origin. Conclusion Our case report stresses the importance of performing MRI even in very young individuals with acute progressive signs of spinal cord lesions. Clinicians should include spinal tumours as a differential diagnosis for juvenile canines with spinal neurological signs. Round cell sarcoma should be added to the list of spinal tumours in young dogs.

This study introduces Raman imaging technique for diagnosing skin cancer in veterinary oncology patients (dogs and cats). Initially, Raman spectral bands (with specificity to certain molecular structures and functional groups) were identified in formalin-fixed samples of mast cell tumors and soft tissue sarcomas, obtained through routine veterinary biopsy submissions. Then, a custom-built Raman macro-imaging system featuring an intensified CCD camera (iXon Ultra 888, Andor, UK), tunable narrow-band Semrock (USA) optical filter compartment was used to map the spectral features at 1437 cm −1 and 1655 cm −1 in ex vivo tissue. This approach enabled wide-field (cm 2 ), rapid (within seconds), and safe (< 400 mW/cm 2 ) imaging conditions, supporting accurate diagnosis of tissue state. The findings indicate that machine learning classifiers - particularly support vector machine (SVM) and decision tree (DT) - effectively distinguished between soft tissue sarcoma, mastocytoma and benign tissues using Raman spectral band imaging data. Additionally, combining Raman macro-imaging with residual near-infrared (NIR) autofluorescence as a bimodal imaging technique enhanced diagnostic performance, reaching 85 - 95% in accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and precision - even with a single spectral band (1437 cm −1 or 1655 cm −1 ). In conclusion, the proposed bi-modal imaging is a pioneering method for veterinary oncology science, offering to improve the diagnostic accuracy of malignant tumors.