The aim of the study was to retrospectively assess complete blood count (CBC) indices of dogs with periodontitis (PD; n = 73) and dogs with oropharyngeal tumors (OT; n = 92) in comparison to CBC indices of healthy dogs (HD; n = 71). Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio, mean platelet volume to platelet ratio, and platelet large cell ratio index (PLCRi) were evaluated as biomarkers of systemic inflammatory response provoked by PD and OT. Results of multivariable polytomous logistic regression analysis indicated no significant associations between CBC indices and PD. Both NLR and PLCRi were significantly higher in dogs with OT when compared to HD and dogs with PD and could, therefore, indicate a tumor-associated systemic inflammatory response. Additional studies of CBC indices, along with other biomarkers of systemic inflammatory response, are recommended to validate them as reliable indicators of clinical disease activity.

Accelerated radiation therapy protocols address the specific biology of aggressive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and this approach was applied in 5 feline and 3 canine oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients where surgery was not possible (4/5 feline and 2/3 canine cases) or was declined (1/5 feline and 1/3 canine cases). A protocol using 14 fractions of 3.5 Gy over 9-days, combined with carboplatin chemotherapy as a radiosensitiser (total dose 180 mg/m2 in feline and 300 mg/m2 in canine cases) resulted in a complete tumor response in most cases (4/5 feline and 3/3 canine cases) with acceptable acute and long-term side effects. Results achieved in feline cases correspond with published data where these specific radiotherapy protocols were employed. A complete response and long-term survival (> 2-years) was achieved in all canine patients. Although no standardized chemoradiotherapy protocols currently exist, this therapeutic approach can be a useful addition for the management of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma of cats and dogs when the goals of treatment include maximizing tumor control while maintaining function and quality of life.