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

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 university-affiliated 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.

Effect of various hCG treatment protocols on luteal characteristics, plasma progesterone concentration, and pregnancy in normal cyclic Indian crossbred dairy cows.

Limited information exists on the application of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) post insemination in the Indian crossbred dairy cows. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of four hCG administration protocols on luteal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes following artificial insemination (AI). Using block randomization, 50 healthy lactating crossbred cows were allocated in equal numbers (n = 10 cows per group) to receive either 5 mL normal saline (control) or 1500 IU hCG on the day of AI (hGG-0), day 7 post AI (hCG-7), day 14 post AI (hCG-14), or days 0, 7, and 14 post AI (hCG-0,7,14). All cows were scanned using sequential transrectal ultrasound examinations to evaluate primary luteal parameters, development of accessory corpora lutea, and pregnancy. Serial blood samples were collected to measure plasma progesterone concentrations. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Fisher's exact tests. The mean primary luteal area, total luteal area, and total luteal diameter values were significantly greater in the hCG-treated cows. Compared to the control, the hCG-14 group had a significantly higher percentage of cows with an accessory corpora luteum. However, there were no significant differences in the mean progesterone concentrations or the first service conception rates between any of the groups. Overall, the results of this study indicate that while hCG administration post AI in healthy Indian crossbred cows may enhance primary luteal dimensions or induce the formation of accessory corpora lutea, it does not appear to have any beneficial effect on luteal function or pregnancy.

Canine cryptorchidism: An update.

This review article is aimed at providing an update on canine cryptorchidism based on the research studies published in this area over the last 26 years. Although a majority of these research studies were directed at investigating the genetic and molecular basis of cryptorchidism, the mechanisms underlying this problem in dogs are still not clear. Future studies using advanced genomic and molecular approaches and including a larger number of dogs of multiple breeds are required to further our understanding of canine cryptorchidism. Diagnosis and treatment of cryptorchidism in dogs have not received much attention. Research advancements include investigation of ultrasonography and anti-Müllerian hormone assay as potential diagnostic methods. Advancements in treatment include the use of laparoscopic-assisted cryptorchidectomy. Based on the available literature, this method appears to be the best for removal of abdominal cryptorchid testes from dogs. However, future studies that compare laparoscopic-assisted cryptorchidectomy with the traditional approaches are required for a more conclusive determination of the best method for cryptorchidectomy in dogs.