Therapeutic management of intranasal transmissible venereal tumor in canines

Abstract

This case study aimed to diagnose and elucidate the therapeutic management of intranasal transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) in four dogs presented with unilateral epistaxis and respiratory distress for several days. The bleeding was characterized by fresh, uncoagulated blood. Cytological, hematological, serum biochemical and radiographic examinations were conducted. Cytological examination of the nasal swab samples showed a neoplastic population of large round cells exhibiting cytoplasmic vacuolation which is characteristic of transmissible venereal tumor, de-differentiation, increased N/C ratio and multiple prominent neucleoli. The animals received intravenous injections of vincristine sulfate as a drug of choice however complications may arise due to its repetitive/excessive use and like development of toxicity and hepatic insufficiency. Additional supportive treatments, administered in three to five weekly doses, intranasal administration of hemocoagulase; botrophase @ 5-6 drops daily for 3-4 days upto cessation of nasal bleeding and injectable broad-spectrum antibiotics were also administered resulting in complete recovery in all the cases examined.