The biological behavior of MCTs is highly variable and improvements in understanding of the natural history and prognostic indicators as well as the indications for multimodal therapy, will further result in better outcomes in canine patients with MCT. PATHOGENESIS OF MCTsThe aetiology of MCTs is unknown but, as with most neoplasms is probably multi-factorial, and the well- Mutations of c-kit, characterized by internal tandem duplications, produce a constitutively activated KIT protein in the absence of ligands 35,49,58 that leads to extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation. 58 Little is known about the consequences of these mutations. However, c-kit mutations and aberrant KIT protein localization are associated with increased expression of Ki67 and argyrophilic nucleolar organizing regions (AgNORs), both of which are markers of increased cellular proliferation. 47 Moreover, in vitro testing of drugs targeting the KIT tyrosine kinase receptor demonstrated inhibition of proliferation of canine MCT cell lines and primary neoplastic MCs, associated with cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. 59 Despite these findings, no genetic defects in c-kit are identified in more than 60% of canineMCTs. This suggests that, mutations in this gene are associated with the development or progression of some MCTs, but mutations in other genes are likely to be involved in the initiation and progression of most canine MCTs.

Abstract:Mast

Data collected in animal cancer registries comprise extensive and valuable information, even more so when evaluated in context with precise population data. The authors evaluated 11 740 canine skin tumors collected in the Swiss Canine Cancer Registry from 2008-2013, considering data on breed, sex, age, and anatomic locations. Their incidence rate (IR) per 100 000 dogs/year in the Swiss dog population was calculated based on data from the official and mandatory Swiss dog registration database ANIS. The most common tumor types were mast cell tumors (16.35%; IR, 60.3), lipomas (12.47%; IR, 46.0), hair follicle tumors (12.34%; IR, 45.5), histiocytomas (12.10%; IR, 44.6), soft tissue sarcomas (10.86%; IR, 40.1), and melanocytic tumors (8.63%; IR, 31.8) with >1000 tumors per type. The average IR of all tumor types across the 227 registered breeds was 372.2. The highest tumor incidence was found in the Giant Schnauzer (IR, 1616.3), the Standard Schnauzer (IR, 1545.4), the Magyar Vizsla (IR, 1534.6), the Rhodesian Ridgeback (IR, 1445.0), the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (IR, 1351.7), and the Boxer (IR, 1350.0). Mixed-breed dogs (IR, 979.4) had an increased IR compared to the average of all breeds. Previously reported breed predispositions for most tumor types were confirmed. Nevertheless, the data also showed an increased IR for mast cell tumors and melanocytic tumors in the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and for histiocytomas in the Flat Coated Retriever. The results from this study can be taken into consideration when selecting purebred dogs for breeding to improve a breed's health.

Diagnostic records are a key feature of any cancer epidemiology, prevention or control strategy for both human beings and animals. Thus, the information stored in human and animal cancer registries is essential to comparative epidemiologic, pathogenic and therapeutic research. This study presents the Swiss Canine Cancer Registry, compiled between 1955 and 2008. The data consists of pathology diagnostic records issued by three veterinary diagnostic laboratories in Switzerland. The tumours are classified according to the International Classification of Oncology for Humans (ICD-O-3) guidelines: tumour type, malignancy and body location (WHO, 2013). The dogs are classified according to breed, age, sex, castration status and place of residence. The diagnostic data were correlated to the relative dog population and the occurrence of cancer in dogs was thus investigated. In 121,963 canine patients 67,943 tumours were diagnosed. 47.07% of which were malignant tumours. The most common tumour location was the skin (37.05%), followed by mammary glands (23.55%) and soft tissue (13.66%). The most common tumour diagnoses were epithelial (38.45%), mesenchymal (35.10%) and lymphatic tumours (13.23%). The results are compared with other canine registries. Similarities to tumour distribution and incidence in other findings are listed and specific difficulties in comparison are pointed out. We hope that this study will mark the beginning of a continuous registration of dog tumours in Switzerland, which, in turn, will serve as a reference for research in the fields of animal and human oncology. The diagnostic data were correlated to the relative dog population and the 25 occurrence of cancer in dogs was thus investigated. In 121,963 canine patients 26 67,943 tumours were diagnosed. 47.07% of which were malignant tumours. The 27 most common tumour location was the skin (37.05%), followed by mammary glands 28 (23.55%) and soft tissue (13.66%). The most common tumour diagnoses were 29 epithelial (38.45%), mesenchymal (35.10%) and lymphatic tumours (13.23%). 30The results are compared with other canine registries. Similarities to tumour 31 distribution and incidence in other findings are listed and specific difficulties in 32 comparison are pointed out. We hope that this study will mark the beginning of a 33 continuous registration of dog tumours in Switzerland, which, in turn, will serve as a 34 reference for research in the fields of animal and human oncology. 35 36

Two cats with Leishmania species infections were investigated. The first had been imported from Spain with a non-healing, ulcerated nodule on a hindleg. The presence of Leishmania species was detected by histopathology and pcr on samples of skin. The lesion was unresponsive to treatment with allopurinol for three months but the cat was treated successfully by removing the lesion surgically. The second cat had lived in both Spain and Switzerland, and had a history of recurrent skin lesions on its head and neck. A diagnosis of pemphigus foliaceus was made on the basis of histopathology, but Leishmania species serology (elisa) and pcr of skin were positive, leading to a diagnosis of a Leishmania species infection combined with pemphigus foliaceus.