SummaryA 6‐year‐old Thoroughbred gelding was evaluated for surgical treatment of a firm, nonpainful cervical mass. The mass developed over 9 months but began enlarging rapidly 4 months prior to presentation. Previous biopsies were inconclusive. Ultrasonography of the cranioventral neck identified a heterogenous, 20 cm × 9 cm × 10 cm mass separate from the thyroid gland and extending caudally from the level of the hyoid apparatus. The gelding was clinically healthy at presentation. Surgical resection of the mass was performed under general anaesthesia. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry staining revealed an undifferentiated sarcoma with incomplete margins. Diagnostic staging tests, re‐excision and adjuvant chemotherapy were recommended, but the horse died suddenly before further treatment could be pursued. Post‐mortem examination revealed a recurrent cranioventral cervical mass in addition to haemothorax and widespread intra‐thoracic and intra‐abdominal multiorgan metastasis. To the authors' knowledge, this report documents the first undifferentiated sarcoma with systemic metastatic disease resulting in the sudden death of a young horse.

A 4‐year‐old American Yorkshire barrow (Sus scrofa domesticus) presented for masses on the left ventral palpebra and convex pinnae bilaterally. Multiple incisional biopsies were consistent with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. The pig was hospitalised for three sessions of electrochemotherapy, with intralesional bleomycin chemotherapy conducted over 1 month. No significant complications from the chemotherapy occurred. Long‐term follow‐up for newly developing lesions on the pinnae and periocular skin included treatment with CO2 laser and cryosurgery with success. Although squamous cell carcinoma is a common finding in food animals, methods other than humane euthanasia for long‐term management of this disease in pigs is poorly documented. Pigs are increasingly becoming popular pet animals, and veterinarians need to consider new modalities and treatment approaches for management of cutaneous neoplasms. This case report describes a comprehensive clinical workup, treatment and long‐term management of squamous cell carcinoma in a domesticated, pet American Yorkshire barrow not intended for food consumption.

This case report highlights the successful management of cutaneous lymphangiosarcoma in an 11‐year‐old, female spayed, domestic longhair cat with surgical resection alone. A 2.0 cm × 1.5 cm, compressible, erythematous, alopecic dermal plaque located on the caudoventral abdomen with associated subcutaneous thickening was cytologically examined, revealing abundant small lymphocytes and a low number of large mesenchymal cells. A definitive diagnosis could not be made based on cytology; therefore, biopsy with histopathology was performed and was consistent with cutaneous lymphangiosarcoma. Complete clinical remission was achieved with curative intent surgical excision. This rare malignant neoplasm of the lymphatic endothelium carries a poor prognosis with rapid progression of disease even after surgical resection. Early diagnosis and aggressive surgical intervention likely resulted in the good outcome in this case.

Ingestion of certain plants belonging to the genus Senna in animals can cause a rapidly progressive disease with myonecrosis. Natural senna intoxication was suspected in cattle that were grazing on contaminated pasture. Three calves presented with clinical signs of acute illness, characterised by sternal recumbency and absent patellar and withdrawal reflexes. Senna obtusifolia and Senna occidentalis plants were found in the grazing pastures. Serum biochemistry levels of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase were higher than the reference ranges. Major pathologic findings included multifocal pale tan and dry skeletal muscle with severe segmental monophasic myonecrosis. Senna seeds were identified in the ruminal contents. A diagnosis of Senna intoxication was made given the clinical history and the compatible clinicopathological and pathologic findings. In addition, Senna plants in the pasture along with the Senna seeds were found in the ruminal contents in the affected heifer. BACKGROUNDThe genus Senna is a group of perennial plants belonging to the family Fabaceae. The genus Senna (formerly called Cassia) has approximately 250-300 accepted species distributed throughout the world and is primarily located in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America. 1 Senna obtusifolia (sicklepod), S. occidentalis (coffee senna), S. lindheimeriana and S. roemeriana (twin-leaf senna) are the more toxic species reported in veterinary medicine, with S. obtusifolia and S. occidentalis frequently reported. 2 S. obtusifolia, a native plant found in the southeastern United States, ranges from Texas to Florida and in north to Missouri and northern Virginia. In addition, it is considered a noxious weed in Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia. In Alabama, it can be found along roadways, waste places, cultivated fields and pastures. The origin of S. occidentalis is unknown and is considered to have originated from tropical South America and the Old World tropics. This species is now found in Asia, Africa, North America, Central America, the Caribbean, South America and Oceania and is frequently observed in sandy soil. S. roemeriana and S. lindheimeriana have been observed in Texas and New Mexico. 3 All parts of the Senna plant are toxic, with the seeds being especially toxic. The plant remains toxic when it is green, dried or ensiled in corn silage. S. obtusifolia is less toxic than S. occidentalis, but is more widespread. S. occidentalis appears to be more palatable and attractive to cattle after killing frost. 4 The consumption of the seeds at 1% of bodyweight in cattle may be fatal within 2-5 days. An experimental study showed that consumption of dried seeds at 0.5% of bodyweight,