A retrospective study of canine transmissible venereal tumour in Grenada, West Indies

Abstract

Background: Canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT) is a naturally occurring neoplasia affecting dogs worldwide. Previous CTVT studies in Grenada were limited to case records of dogs with neoplastic conditions at a veterinary diagnostic laboratory. Objectives:The present retrospective study aimed to determine the occurrence and risk factors of CTVT in a wider population of owned dogs presented to a universityaffiliated veterinary hospital between 2008 and 2018.Methods: Data on the age, breed, gender, and gonadectomy status were retrieved from an electronic database and analyzed using logistic regression.Results: Of the 7180 dogs presented during the period, 102 dogs (1.4%) were diagnosed with CTVT. A higher predisposition was observed in Grenadian pothounds (odds ratio [OR] = 22.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 10.3-50.4; p < 0.001) and mixed-breed dogs (OR = 9.2, 95% CI 4.1-20.7; p < 0.001) in comparison to the purebreds. Neutered dogs (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.4-3.3; p < 0.001) were at an increased risk of CTVT than intact dogs. Age and gender were not identified as significant risk factors. Conclusions:The percentage of dogs with CTVT in this study represents a crude estimate of the CTVT prevalence in the owned dog population in Grenada. Further studies including both owned and free-roaming dogs are required for a more accurate estimation of the CTVT prevalence in the region. Our results indicate that breed and gonadectomy status are significant risk factors for the occurrence of CTVT in Grenada.

Canine transmissible venereal tumour in Morocco: Clinical and pathological findings in 64 dogs – Insights from a descriptive epidemiological study (2020-2023)

“…Affected dogs were mostly cross-breed, which is mainly due to the large population of stray dogs associated with a higher risk of transmission. This correlates with findings from several other studies ( Araujo et al, 2016 ; Schectman et al, 2022 ; Costa et al, 2023 ). Additionally, pure-breed dogs were also reported in our study.…”

“…In the present study, we show that CTVT is a common neoplastic condition in Morocco. Similar findings were reported from other countries as Colombia, Brazil, and Grenada ( Arcila-Villa et al, 2018 ; Pimentel et al, 2021 ; Schectman et al, 2022 ), whereas, in developed countries where populations of stray dogs have been controlled, enzootic CTVT has been eradicated, and occasional cases were reported only due to dogs importation from abroad ( Murchison, 2021 ).…”

“…Data concerning the sexual predisposition of CTVT are still conflicting and vary considerably. Some studies showed no significant differences regarding the sex of affected animals ( Chikweto et al, 2013 ; Schectman et al, 2022 ; Costa et al, 2023 ), meanwhile, other reports revealed higher prevalence in female dogs ( Araujo et al, 2016 ). However, in our study, CTVT was more prevalent in males, similar to what has been reported by Arcila-Villa et al (2018) .…”

“…Canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) is a particular, naturally, occurring cancer affecting dogs ( Ostrander et al, 2016 ). It is characterized by its unique capacity of transmission from one individual to another by implantation of living neoplastic cells in unaffected tissues, mainly during coitus or social behavior such as sniffing, licking, or biting ( Ganguly et al, 2016 ; Schectman et al, 2022 ). CTVT is reported to be the oldest canine neoplasia discovered in nature.…”