Mammary neoplasms are described as the third most common type of feline tumor, after haematopoietic and skin tumors, and present a challenge for clinicians because the prognosis for feline mammary tumors ranges from guarded to poor. Thus, it is necessary to define new therapeutic approaches and establish more in-depth knowledge about this disease in felines. The main aspects of the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of feline mammary neoplasia were discussed, aiming to standardize the criteria and to serve as a guide for pathologists and veterinary clinicians.

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Consensus for the Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment of Canine Mammary Tumors. Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Pathology

Steroid receptor expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in neoplastic, hyperplastic/dysplastic, and normal mammary tissue samples removed from 68 queens and 47 bitches, using monoclonal antibodies against human oestrogen-alpha (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR). Mammary lesions were classified according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, and all animals with invasive carcinomas were clinically followed for 2 years. Stromal and/or lymphatic invasion and histological grading were also recorded. In both species, ER expression was significantly higher in healthy tissues, hyperplastic/dysplastic lesions, and benign tumours than in carcinomas. The loss of ER expression was more marked in feline than in canine carcinomas. In queens, PR expression increased in dysplastic lesions and "in situ" carcinomas and decreased in invasive carcinomas, even if parts of these tumours were still PR-positive. In bitches no significant variation in PR expression was observed between normal tissue, dysplasias, and benign neoplasms, but was significantly lower in carcinomas. In both species ER and PR expression in invasive carcinomas did not correlate either with histological parameters or overall survival time. This study demonstrates several differences in steroid hormone dependency between the two species. The percentage of PR-positive feline carcinomas suggests a possible role of progesterone in promoting early tumour cell growth in queens. The low percentage of ER-positive invasive carcinomas further demonstrated the aggressive phenotype and behaviour of feline mammary tumours.

Steroid receptor expression in normal, dysplastic, and neoplastic canine and feline mammary tissues

Clinical presentation of canine pyometra and mucometra: a review.

Pyometra is a common disease in dogs and cats. Hormones and opportunistic bacteria are fundamental in the development, with progesterone playing a key role. The disease should be suspected in intact bitches and queens presenting with illness, and particularly if within 4 months after estrus. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital to increase chances of survival as endotoxemia and sepsis often are induced. Typical clinical signs include vaginal discharge, depression, anorexia, polyuria and polydipsia, fever and gastrointestinal disturbances. Surgical ovariohysterectomy is the safest and most effective treatment. For breeding animals with less severe illness, purely medical treatments alternatives are possible.

Pyometra in Small Animals.

A large number of studies have investigated feline mammary tumors in an attempt to identify prognostic markers and generate comparative analyses with human breast cancer. Nevertheless, a retrospective base of assessments and the lack of standardization in methodology and study design have caused weakness in study results, making comparison difficult. We examined feline mammary tumor publications and evaluated postulated prognostic parameters according to the recently published "Recommended Guidelines for the Conduct and Evaluation of Prognostic Studies in Veterinary Oncology." Using these criteria, we determined with statistically significant reliability that prognostic parameters for feline mammary tumors are tumor grading and lymph node/lymphovascular invasion. Furthermore, tumor subtype, size, and staging are worthy of further standardized investigation. We present statistical significance for each studied parameter as well as its relevance to disease progression and survival. Our evaluation suggests that marker expression (ie, Ki67, HER2, ER) may provide relevant information applicable for therapeutic predictions; however, consensus efforts and protocol standardization are needed. We identify and discuss major points of concern--such as sample preservation and selection, standardization of immunohistochemical protocols, and evaluation of results--to provide support for subsequent reliable analyses.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0300985814528221

Prognostic evaluation of feline mammary carcinomas: a review of the literature.

Fourteen female cats with fibroadenomatosis were treated with aglepristone, and the effectiveness of the treatment and its effect on selected haematological and blood chemistry parameters were studied. The cats were monitored for 12 months after the end of the treatment. Complete remission of the clinical signs was achieved on average 3·9 weeks after the treatment began; the success of the treatment confirmed the clinical diagnosis of fibroadenomatosis. During the course of the treatment the cats’ haematological parameters returned to normal. In cats that had previously been treated with longacting medroxyprogesterone acetate, treatment with aglepristone for five weeks was recommended. Cases of fibroadenomatosis reappearing after a few months should be regarded as new disease rather than a relapse. Six cats were subsequently mated and four gave birth to one or more litters; all the pregnancies proceeded normally with no clinically evident fibroadenomatosis. The other eight cats underwent ovariohysterectomy soon after the aglepristone treatment was completed.

Treatment of fibroadenomatosis in 14 cats with aglepristone – changes in blood parameters and follow-up

The cystic endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra complex is one of the most common uterine diseases in bitches. The appearance of pharmacological preparations containing anti-progestagens created new possibilities for pyometra treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the curative effect of the anti-progestagen aglepristone treatment of pyometra in bitches of different ages. Twenty four bitches of different breeds, aged from 0.8 to 9.5 years (21-48 kg) exhibiting clinical pyometra symptoms (two groups - I 5 years, n = 10) were evaluated. Information about the general reproductive health was collected up to 54 months after anti-progestagen treatment. Remission of clinical symptoms and return of blood chemistry results and total leucocyte count to referential values were achieved in all cases within 14 days of treatment. Bitches were naturally mated at the first, and when unsuccessful, the second oestrus after treatment. In group I, no recurrence of pyometra symptoms was observed during following cycle(s). Eight bitches (57.1%) had a full-term pregnancy and the number of newborn pups ranged from 1 to 12. None of the bitches from the group II became pregnant. In conclusion, the basic indication for conservative pharmacological treatment of pyometra is preserving female fertility and obtaining offspring. The important conditions for successful aglepristone treatment are: the young age (up to 5 years) and the lack of detectible ovarian cysts. It seems necessary to mate bitches in the first or second oestrus after finishing treatment. The efficacy of treatment can be measured by the after-treatment pregnancy rate.

Age-related pregnancy results and further examination of bitches after aglepristone treatment of pyometra.

przerywanie niepożądanej ciąży wciąż stanowi istotny problem. Do tego celu stosuje się szeroki wachlarz metod, zarówno farmakologicznych, jak i chirurgicznych (ovariohisterectomia). Wybór właściwej metody zależy od wiedzy na temat mechanizmu działania, efektywności i bezpieczeństwa stosowania oraz uwzględnienia działań niepożądanych. Obecnie dostępne preparaty pozwalają zapobiegać rozwojowi niechcianej ciąży bądź prowadzą do poronienia. Do środków zapobiegających implantacji zarodka można zaliczyć estrogeny (1). W późniejszym okresie ciąży stosuje się prostaglandyny, agonistów dopaminy oraz glikokortykosteroidy (2, 3). Przedstawicielami nowszej grupy preparatów, które mogą być stosowane na każdym etapie ciąży są antygestageny, coraz częściej aplikowane przez lekarzy weterynarii (4). Obecnie trwają badania nad klinicznym wykorzystaniem w tym celu trzeciej generacji antagonistów GnRH (5). Celem pracy była ocena klinicznej przydatności wybranych protokołów przerywania niepożądanej ciąży z uwzględnieniem działań niepożądanych.

Wybrane protokoły przerywania niepożądanej ciąży u suk

The aim of this study was the assessment of the usefulness of the limited approach to the abdominal cavity (prepubic minilaparotomy) in intramural ureteral ectopia treatment in dogs. Five spayed bitches, from 2 to 8 years of age, with diagnosed congenital ureteral ectopia, were surgically treated. In three cases ectopia was diagnosed in the left ureter, and in remaining two cases in the right one. In the basic physical examination, the general state of the dogs was normal. In detailed examinations, chronic dermatitis and hyperpigmentation at the region of vulva and of thigh rear surface, resulting from their contact with leaking urine, were found in all individuals. In urographic examination, typical changes for ureteral ectopia were found. The surgeries were performed under general anaesthesia. The abdominal cavity was open by medial prepubic 5 cm incision. After dislocation of the bladder outside the abdominal cavity, its lumen was exposed via a ventral cystotomy. After the opening of the bladder, ectopic ureter was localised and a form of ectopia was diagnosed. Further stages of the surgery, aiming at replantation of ectopic ureter, were performed according to the conventional ureteroneocystostomy technique. During postoperative period, fast abatement and mitigation of urinary incontinence symptoms were observed in all the dogs. On the basis of the achieved effects, it can be stated that prepubic minilaparotomy is able to replace the standard operative approach, utilised while replanting ureters in bitches.

P. Jurka

Papers

Treatment of fibroadenomatosis in 14 cats with aglepristone – changes in blood parameters and follow-up

Age-related pregnancy results and further examination of bitches after aglepristone treatment of pyometra.

Treatment of fibroadenomatosis in 14 cats with aglepristone – changes in blood parameters and follow-up

Wybrane protokoły przerywania niepożądanej ciąży u suk

Use of prepubic minilaparotomy in the congenital ureteral ectopia treatment of dogs