Use of cytology for canine mammary masses and perceived diagnostic utility in four European countries.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the use of cytology of canine mammary masses and its perceived diagnostic utility in four European countries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The link to a web-based questionnaire was sent to veterinarians of Italy, UK, Greece and Spain. The questionnaire contained basic questions regarding the respondents' background, their general use of cytology as a diagnostic tool, the incidence of canine mammary tumours within their clinics and their use of cytology for canine mammary masses. Multiple binary and ordinal logistics models were used to evaluate associations between variables. RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty-five veterinarians completed the survey (Italy 114; UK 66; Greece 55; Spain 230). Most veterinarians working in each country used cytology as a diagnostic tool, although only 43.0%, 54.6%, 43.6% and 36.5% used cytology for the investigation of CMMs in Italy, UK, Greece and Spain respectively. Supposing the cytology were able to correctly differentiate benign versus malignant canine mammary masses, the percentage of veterinarians using this test would increase in Italy, UK and Greece (Italy 91.2%; UK 93.9%; Greece 96.4%); however, this was not reflected by veterinarians working in Spain (51.7%). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: If cytology of canine mammary masses were able to differentiate between benign and malignant, most veterinarians in Italy, UK and Greece would utilise the technique, justifying further research into the diagnostic accuracy of this test. Spanish veterinarians were significantly different and further research into why these individuals would not value the ability of cytology to differentiate between benign and malignant may be of value.