Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) develop from mesenchymal cells of soft tissues, and they commonly occur in the skin and subcutis of the dog. Although phenotypically diverse with frequently controversial histogenesis, STSs are considered as a group because they have similar features microscopically and clinically. Following resection, local recurrence rates are low in general but vary according to histologic grade and completeness of surgical margins. Complete margins predict nonrecurrence. Even most grade I STSs with ''close'' margins will not recur, but propensity for recurrence increases with grade. The frequency of metastasis has not been accurately estimated, but it is believed to be rare for grade I STSs and most likely to occur with grade III STSs. However, metastasis does not necessarily equate with poor survival. High mitotic index is prognostic for reduced survival time. Further research is needed to determine more precise estimates for recurrence rates and survival as related to completeness of surgical margins and to delineate potential differences in metastatic rate and median survival time between grades. Other potential indicators of prognosis that presently require further investigation include histologic type, tumor dimension, location, invasiveness, stage, markers of cellular proliferation, and cytogenetic profiles. Common issues limiting prognostic factor evaluation include biases from retrospective studies, small sample sizes, poor verification of metastasis, inconsistent STS classification and use of nomenclature, difficulties in differentiating STS phenotype, and diversity of the study population (stage of disease and treatment status).

Local recurrence of marginally excised subcutaneous soft tissue sarcomas is variable and difficult to predict. This study aimed to identify predictors of local recurrence after excisional biopsy. Medical records of 236 dogs from which tumors had been received between 2004 and 2007 were analyzed. Medium- to large-breed dogs, median age 10 years, were most commonly affected. A total of 139 tumors were graded histologically: 71 were grade 1 (51%); 59, grade 2 (42%); and 9, grade 3 (7%). Of these, 34 tumors (25%) were completely excised, and 104 (75%) were marginally excised. None of 30 completely excised tumors with follow-up information recurred. Three of 41 grade 1 tumors (7%), 14 of 41 grade 2 tumors (34%), and 3 out of 4 grade 3 tumors recurred after marginal excision. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated to evaluate survival and the tumor-free interval. The log-rank test and log-rank test for trend were used for comparisons. Tumor recurrence-free intervals for dogs with grade 1 and 2 tumors and for those with grade 1 and 3 tumors differed significantly (P = .0027 and .0001, respectively) and overall were inversely related to tumor grade (P = .0007). Kaplan-Meier survival curves, regardless of recurrence, for patients with grade 1, 2, or 3 tumors treated by marginal excision did not differ significantly, and none differed from the survival curves of patients treated by complete excision. In conclusion, histologic grade is a strong predictor for recurrence of marginally excised subcutaneous soft tissue sarcomas. Clean margins predict nonrecurrence. Tumor recurrence did not significantly reduce survival time.

Objective To determine outcome of dogs with a diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma managed in first opinion practice. Study Design Retrospective, case‐controlled study Animals Dogs (n = 350) with primary occurrence of a soft tissue sarcoma. Methods A previously validated questionnaire was sent to all veterinarians requesting clinical information and ultimate outcome for all dogs. Histologic sections were reviewed by a single pathologist. Results Most surgeries were unplanned, with only 15 (4%) dogs having a histologic and 59 (16.8%) dogs having a cytologic diagnosis before surgery. Median survival time for all dogs was not reached with 70% proportional survival at 5 years. Local recurrence developed in 73 (20.8%) cases. The extent of resection performed was not associated with improved survival (P = .2) or tumor recurrence (P = .8). Age <8 years (χ2 = 6.1; P = .01), tumors <5 cm in size (χ2 = 9.6; P = .002) and discrete tumors (χ2 = 16.6; P < .001) had improved survival outcomes. On multivariate analysis, a high tumor grade was significant for recurrence (HR 5.8; P < .001; 95% CI: 2.2–14.8). Evidence of a selection bias towards less aggressive tumors being managed in first opinion practice was confirmed. Conclusions Wide resection margins are not the primary determinant of outcome for all soft tissue sarcoma. Veterinarians need to better understand the biologic behavior of a suspected soft tissue sarcoma before treatment to allow surgical margins to be adjusted accordingly.

Osteochondrosis is reported in association with copper deficiency in young red deer and wapiti X red deer hybrids on eight deer farms throughout New Zealand. On two farms, more than 30% of fawns were affected. Affected animals were lame, often had one or more swollen joints, and in some cases had an abnormal "bunny-hopping" gait or "cow-hocked" stance. Lesions were most common in the carpal, tarsal, stifle and hip joints, and were usually bilateral. Defects in articular cartilage ranged from loose flaps to complete separation with exposure of subchondral bone and the presence of cartilage fragments within the joint space. In advanced cases, the joints had features of degenerative arthropathy. Bilateral epiphyseolysis of the femoral head was observed in some severely lame deer. All deer with osteochondrosis had low serum and/or liver copper concentrations.

A 4-year-old, female spayed, Standard Poodle was examined for evaluation of presumed immunemediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) that had been refractory to therapy. Before referral, weakness and lethargy had been noted and a CBC performed by the referring veterinarian had shown a regenerative anemia with autoagglutination and spherocytosis. The hemoglobin concentration had been markedly reduced at 69 g/L (reference range, 120-180 g/L) and the reticulocyte count had been 35.3%. A PCV measurement taken by the referring veterinarian the same day that the CBC had been submitted was 24% (reference range, 37-55%). Serum biochemistry results revealed a slightly increased creatine kinase activity (611 U/L; reference range, 0-506 U/L), an increased aspartate aminotransferase activity (86 U/L; reference range, 15-55 U/L), an increased amylase activity (1,283 U/L; reference range, 250-1,060 U/L), and an increased bilirubin concentration (1.6 mg/dL; reference range, 0-0.24 mg/dL). There was no history of recent vaccination or drug administration before the onset of anemia. Treatment was with prednisone a (2 mg/kg PO q12h). However, after 1 week of treatment there was no significant improvement and the dog was referred.On physical examination, the dog was weak and had pale mucous membranes. Abdominal palpation and ultrasonography detected hepatosplenomegaly. Thoracic radiography did not reveal any abnormalities. A urine sample obtained by cystocentesis did not yield any growth on bacterial culture. A CBC revealed the hemoglobin concentration was 76 g/L (reference range, 120-180 g/L) and PCV 24% (reference range, 37-55%). A diagnosis of idiopathic IMHA was made and additional immunosuppressive therapy was added to the treatment regime (azathioprine b 1 mg/kg PO q24h and cyclosporin c at 10 mg/kg PO q24h). In an attempt to reduce the risk of thromboembolic disease, aspirin d was also administered at 0.5 mg/kg PO q24h. The dog responded well to treatment and medications were gradually withdrawn. The cyclosporin was completely withdrawn after 9 weeks of treatment. At that stage, treatment was prednisone (0.7 mg/kg PO q24h) and azathioprine (1 mg/kg PO q48h). The aspirin dose was unchanged. All medications were discontinued after 1 year at which time the CBC was within normal limits.Approximately 2 months after discontinuing treatment, the dog once again had lethargy and pale mucous membranes. A CBC showed a hemoglobin concentration of 71 g/L (reference range, 120-180 g/L) and a PCV was 24% (reference range 37-55%). Autoagglutination and spherocytosis were present. Serum biochemistry was within normal limits apart from an increase in bilirubin concentration (1.4 mg/dL; reference range, 0-0.24 mg/ dL). A diagnosis of a relapse of the idiopathic IMHA was made and immunosuppressive therapy was reinstituted with prednisone (1.7 mg/kg PO q12h), azathioprine (0.9 mg/kg PO q12h), aspirin (0.5 mg/kg PO q24h), and cyclosporin (8.5 mg/kg PO q24h). After 10 days of therapy, there had been a clinical improvement. The dose of prednisone was reduc...