Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment of Canine Hemangiosarcoma: A Review Based on a Consensus Organized by the Brazilian Association of Veterinary Oncology, ABROVET.

Hemangiosarcoma is a mesenchymal neoplasm originating in the endothelial cells of blood vessels; they can be classified as non-visceral and visceral types. Non-visceral hemangiosarcomas can affect the skin, subcutaneous tissues, and muscle tissues; visceral hemangiosarcomas can affect the spleen, liver, heart, lungs, kidneys, oral cavity, bones, bladder, uterus, tongue, and retroperitoneum. Among domestic species, dogs are most affected by cutaneous HSA. Cutaneous HSA represents approximately 14% of all HSA diagnosed in this species and less than 5% of dermal tumors, according to North American studies. However, Brazilian epidemiological data demonstrate a higher prevalence, which may represent 27 to 80% of all canine HSAs and 13.9% of all skin neoplasms diagnosed in this species. Cutaneous HSA most commonly affects middle-aged to elderly dogs (between 8 and 15 years old), with no gender predisposition for either the actinic or non-actinic forms. The higher prevalence of cutaneous HSA in some canine breeds is related to lower protection from solar radiation, as low skin pigmentation and hair coverage lead to greater sun exposure. Actinic changes, such as solar dermatosis, are frequent in these patients, confirming the influence of solar radiation on the development of this neoplasm. There are multiple clinical manifestations of hemangiosarcoma in canines. The diagnostic approach and staging classification of cutaneous HSAs are similar between the different subtypes. The definitive diagnosis is obtained through histopathological analysis of incisional or excisional biopsies. Cytology can be used as a presurgical screening test; however, it has little diagnostic utility in cases of HSA because there is a high risk of blood contamination and sample hemodilution. Surgery is generally the treatment of choice for dogs with localized non-visceral HSA without evidence of metastatic disease. Recently, electrochemotherapy (ECT) has emerged as an alternative therapy for the local ablative treatment of different neoplastic types; the use of radiotherapy for the treatment of dogs with cutaneous HSA is uncommon. There is greater consensus in the literature regarding the indications for adjuvant chemotherapy in subcutaneous and muscular HSA; doxorubicin is the most frequently used antineoplastic agent for subcutaneous and muscular subtypes and can be administered alone or in combination with other drugs. Other therapies include antiangiogenic therapy, photodynamic therapy, the association of chemotherapy with the metronomic dose, targeted therapies, and natural products. The benefits of these therapies are presented and discussed. In general, the prognosis of splenic and cardiac HSA is unfavorable. As a challenging neoplasm, studies of new protocols and treatment modalities are necessary to control this aggressive disease.

Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment of Canine Cutaneous and Subcutaneous Mast Cell Tumors.

Mast cell tumors (MCTs) are hematopoietic neoplasms composed of mast cells. It is highly common in dogs and is extremely important in the veterinary oncology field. It represents the third most common tumor subtype, and is the most common malignant skin tumor in dogs, corresponding to 11% of skin cancer cases. The objective of this critical review was to present the report of the 2nd Consensus meeting on the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment of Canine Cutaneous and Subcutaneous Mast Cell Tumors, which was organized by the Brazilian Association of Veterinary Oncology (ABROVET) in August 2021. The most recent information on cutaneous and subcutaneous mast cell tumors in dogs is presented and discussed.

Electrochemotherapy for the treatment of fibropapillomas in Chelonia mydas.

Fibropapillomatosis continues to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in sea turtles, particularly in Chelonia mydas. Turtles with this debilitating herpesvirus disease usually present with multiple, large, and ulcerated cutaneous masses that compromise both locomotion and feeding. There are very few available therapeutic strategies, with surgical excision being the most common. However, this surgical excision is associated with a high rate of local disease recurrence and secondary infections. Electrochemotherapy has been used for the treatment of epithelial neoplasm in several animal species. This technique is based on a combination of chemotherapy, usually with bleomycin or cisplatin, and electroporation. It consists of a series of short, high-voltage electric pulses that lead to increased membrane permeability and more efficient transport of antineoplastic drugs through the cellular membrane. Here, two C. mydas fibropapillomas were treated with a standard electrochemotherapy protocol using intralesional bleomycin sulfate injections followed by the application of electric pulses. Two sessions were performed, with a 33-day interval between sessions. Complete regression of lesions occurred without side effects or complications in each animal. There was no sign of local recurrence, even 1 yr after the end of treatment. Electrochemotherapy may be an effective therapeutic alternative for sea turtles with fibropapillomas.

Eletroquimioterapia em adenocarcinoma perianal canino / Electrochemotherapy in canine perianal adenocarcinoma

Objetivo - Este estudo objetivou avaliar a aplicabilidade, eficácia e segurança da eletroquimioterapia em neoplasias perianais caninas, no intuito da caracterização das vantagens intrínsecas ao protocolo. Métodos - Foram utilizados dez cães acometidos por neoformações perianais, admitidos junto ao Serviço de Cirurgia do Hospital Veterinário do Curso de Medicina Veterinária da Universidade Paulista, São Paulo-SP, no período compreendido entre janeiro de 2009 a fevereiro de 2010. Todas estas lesões foram submetidas a exame histopatológico, através do qual se estabeleceu o diagnóstico definitivo de adenocarcinoma perianal. Padronizou-se o protocolo eletroquimioterápico utilizando-se sulfato de bleomicina, via intralesional, na dose de 1U/cm3 de tumor. Três minutos após a aplicação do fármaco pela mencionada via, administraram-se pulsos elétricos sobre toda extensão das neoformações. Os cães foram reavaliados sete, 14, 21 e 30 dias após a realização do protocolo. Constatada a remissão tumoral total, os pacientes foram monitorados através de retornos bimestralmente aprazados, por período de 12 meses. Resultados - Todos os cães (n = 10) (100%) exibiram regressão neoplásica completa. Todos os pacientes foram reavaliados a cada 60 dias através da execução de minucioso exame físico e subsidiários pertinentes por período de 12 meses, não exibindo sintomas, achados laboratoriais, radiográficos e/ou sonográficos de recidiva neoplásica e/ou metástases adjacentes ou distantes neste intervalo de tempo. Conclusão - O protocolo demonstrou-se aplicável, eficaz e seguro na terapêutica antineoplásica para adenocarcinoma perianal canino. Não houve toxicidade relacionável ao fármaco utilizado, observando-se ainda, manutenção da integridade anátomo-fisiológica do tecido acometido pela afecção.

Objective - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability, effectiveness and safety of electrochemotherapy in canine perianal adenocarcinoma, aiming the characterization of benefits intrinsic the protocol. Methods - Ten dogs presenting perianal adenocarcinoma were admitted at the Surgery Service of the Veterinary Hospital from University Paulista, São Paulo, during the period from January 2009 to February 2010. All injuries were subjected to histopathological examination, through which established the definitive diagnosis of perianal adenocarcinoma. The electrochemotherapy protocol was standardized using intralesional bleomycin sulfate at a dose of 1U/cm3 of tumoral area. Three minutes after intralesional administration of the antineoplastic agent, electric pulses were applied all over the neoplastic extension. Dogs were reevaluated seven, 14, 21 and 30 days after the protocol performance. Once observed the complete tumoral remission, patients were monitored every two months for a 12-month-period. Results - All dogs (n = 10) (100%) presented complete neoplastic remission. All patients were reevaluated every two months through a detailed physical examination and pertinent complementary exams for a 12-month period, showing no clinical, laboratorial, radiological and/or sonographic manifestations of neoplastic recidivating, adjacent and/or distant metastasis within this period. Conclusion - The studied protocol revealed to be applicable, effective and safe for antineoplastic therapy in canine perianal adenocarcinoma. There was no toxicity related to the employed agent. Nevertheless, anatomophysiological integrity of the involved tissue was preserved.

Utilização de eletroquimioterapia em neoplasias de origem epitelial ou mesenquimal localizadas em pele ou mucosas de cães / Employment of electrochemotherapy in canine neoplasms of epithelial or mesenchymal origin located in the skin or mucosal membranes

A eletroquimioterapia é caracterizada como um protocolo que agrega o uso de fármacos antineoplásicos à aplicação regional de pulsos elétricos, maximizando a concentração intracelular destes agentes, assim propiciando maior ação citotóxica dos mesmos. A bleomicina, um antimicrobiano dotado de propriedade antineoplásica, demonstra restrição no transporte através da membrana celular dada sua composição molecular hidrofílica. Todavia, uma vez administrada via intralesional ou endovenosa associada à eletroporação, exibe citotoxicidade potencializada. Foram utilizados 34 cães acometidos por neoformações solitárias de origem epitelial ou mesenquimal, situadas em pele ou membranas mucosas. Padronizou-se o protocolo eletroquimioterápico empregando-se sulfato de bleomicina, pela via intralesional, na dose de 1U/cm3 de tumor. A eletroporação foi perfilada com eletrodo composto por agulhas, pulsos elétricos com tensão de 1000 V, em onda quadrada unipolar, com duração de 100 microsegundos, totalizando-se oito ciclos. Constatou-se remissão neoplásica integral em 30 cães (88,3%) e refratariedade ao protocolo em apenas quatro animais (11,7%). Inexistiram complicações e/ou efeitos adversos decorrentes do procedimento. O protocolo neste trabalho estudado revelou-se aplicável, eficaz e seguro na terapêutica antineoplásica em cães.

Electrochemotherapy is characterized as a protocol which combines the use of antineoplastic agents with localized application of electric pulses to improve the intracellular concentration of these agents, increasing, thus, its cytotoxic action. Bleomycin, an antibiotic agent with antineoplastic properties, is a hydrophilic molecule, having a restricted transport through the cellular membrane. However, when it is administered intralesionally or intravenously and associated to electroporation, its cytotoxicity is maximized. There were utilized 34 dogs affected by a single lesion of epithelial or mesenchymal origin, located in the skin or mucosal membranes. The electrochemotherapy protocol was standardized using intralesional bleomycin sulfate at a dose of 1U/cm3of tumoral area. Electroporation was performed using an electrode composed of needles and electric pulses with a 1000 V voltage, in unipolar square wave and 100 microseconds duration, totalizing eight cycles. There was complete neoplastic remission in 30 dogs (88.3%) and refractoriness to the protocol in four animals (11.7%). There were no complications or side effects associated with the procedure. The protocol studied in this work showed to be feasible, effective and safe for antineoplastic therapy in dogs.

Angiografia in vivo para avaliação da vascularização do casco de eqüinos / In vivo angiography for evaluation of equine foot vasculature

A proposta deste trabalho foi estabelecer a angiografia digital palmar como método de avaliação qualitativa in vivo da vascularização distal laminar em eqüinos em posição quadrupedal. Foram realizadas 15 angiografias de eqüinos mestiços, sendo seis machos castrados e nove fêmeas, com idade variando entre seis e oito anos. As angiografias foram realizadas, após bloqueio anestésico perineural do nervo digital palmar lateral ou medial, por meio da aplicação de 20mL de contraste na veia digital palmar lateral ou medial garroteada por atadura elástica e torniquete. Imediatamente depois, foi realizada a primeira exposição radiológica em incidência dorso-palmar. Após a dispersão do contraste, o mesmo procedimento foi realizado com o casco submetido ao tratamento térmico com água aquecida e com água resfriada. Em quatro animais, obteve-se imagem radiopaca, com bordas maldefinidas, de aspecto sombreado, ao redor de cada lâmina dérmica, que foi creditada à vasodilatação ocasionada pelo calor. Quando da vasoconstrição ocasionada pelo tratamento com frio, observou-se redução da imagem radiopaca laminar. Esse aspecto pôde ser comprovado em quatro radiografias, porém não se repetiu em todas as angiografias realizadas. Em sete radiografias, houve falha de preenchimento de contraste, o que inviabilizou a comparação entre tratamentos térmicos, sendo que as radiografias realizadas sem nenhum tratamento térmico possuíam preenchimento de contraste adequado. A angiografia digital em eqüinos mostrou-se um método sensível para evidenciar vasoconstrição e vasodilatação in vivo dentro do estojo córneo, porém inúmeros fatores podem contribuir para o aparecimento de artefatos de técnica, o que inviabiliza a comparação de alterações da perfusão laminar do casco por esse método.

This study was aimed at establishing the palmar digital angiography as an in vivo qualitative method of evaluation the laminar digital vasculature on horses in standing position. Six gelding and nine mares were used in this study, with age going from 6 to 8 years old. After the perineural anesthesia of lateral or medial palmar digital nerve and the surgical preparation an intravenous catheter was fixed to the palmar digital vein, lateral or medial. After performing a simple radiography an elastic bandage and tourniquet was applied to the area. The animal and the RX equipment were adequately positioned and 20mL of contrast were injected, followed by a first radiological exposition in dorsum palmar incidence. In sequence the tourniquet and the elastic bandage were removed for the dissipation of the contrast, keeping the venous access with infusion of isotonic saline solution. The same procedure was performed with the hoof submitted to the thermal treatment with warmed water and cold water. In four animals a radiopaque image, around each dermic lamina with vasodilatation induced by the heat was obtained, with poorly defined edges and blurred aspect. On the other hand, it was observed reduction of the radiopaque laminar image because of the vasoconstriction caused by the treatment with cold water. This fact can be seen only in four radiographies, but it has not being repeated in all angiographies performed. In seven radiographies incomplete contrast filling was observed. For this reason, it was not possible to compare the radiographs performed with no thermal treatment, that have had the appropriate filling of the contrast. The digital angiography in horses was showed to be a sensible method to evidence in vivo vasoconstriction and vasodilatation inside the hoof, however this method cannot be use to analyze alteration in the laminar perfusion because some techniques artefactual.

Ultra-sonografia da face palmar da região metacarpal em eqüinos / Ultrasonography of equine palmar metacarpus region

Introdução - Na literatura verificou-se o número reduzido de informações sobre as dimensões e a técnica de escolha para estudo ultra-sonográfico das estruturas da face palmar metacarpal de eqüinos. Material e Métodos - Foram realizados em 16 membros de animais da espécie eqüina, sem raça definida, machos castrados e de idade variando de 6 a 20 anos, sonogramas da face palmar em região metacárpica. Utilizou-se um transdutor setorial, com freqüência de 7,5 MHz, acoplado a um stand off de silicone. Resultados - A técnica de ultra-sonografia tendínea foi avaliada e comparada aos dados da literatura. O tendão dos músculos flexor digital superficial e do flexor digital profundo, o ligamento acessório do tendão do músculo flexor digital profundo e o músculo interósseo foram mensurados, em secção dorso palmar e os resultados comparados aos existentes em literatura. Conclusões - Foi possível observar que a técnica empregada é satisfatória para avaliar os tendões, ligamentos e músculos da região metacarpal. Notou-se, ainda, que não há consenso entre os autores sobre a técnica a ser empregada, nem tão pouco quanto às dimensões normais das estruturas avaliadas.

Introduction - There is lack of information in the literature regarding the extension of equine palmar metacarpus region and the best ultrasonography technique to access these structures. Material and Methods - Sonograms of palmar metacarpus region have been accomplished in 16 animals of the equine specie, ages between 6 and 20 years old, non defined breed and geldings.The setorial probe, with the frequency of 7,5 MHz, has been used, plugged to a stand off of silicone. Results - The tendon of superficial digital flexor muscle, the deep digital flexor muscle's tendon, the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon and the interosseus muscle have been measured on transverse view. The results were compared to the literature ones. Conclusions - It was possible to observe that the technique was enough to evaluate the tendon's bonds and muscle of the metacarpus. We also notice that there is no consensus among the authors about this technique and either about the standards dimension of the evaluated structures.

Fixacão interna de fratura de epífise proximal de tíbia em potro / Internal fixation of the tibial proximal epiphyses fracture in a foal

A fratura Salter Harris tipo II ocorre comumente na epífise proximal de tíbia em potros e tem reparacão difícil mas com o advento das técnicas de fixacão interna, o prognóstico tem melhorado. No caso descrito, em um potro da raca árabe de 26 dias de idade, com fratura proximal de tíbia direita tipo Salter Harris II, foram utilizadas as placas de compressão para garantirem estabilizacão e aproximacão dos fragmentos fraturados, porém com risco de ocasionar distúrbios no desenvolvimento esquelético. No caso relatado, através do controle radiológico, não foi evidenciada diminuicão da radioluscência na região correspondente à cartilagem de conjugacão proximal da tíbia. O artigo tem como objetivo discutir o tratamento empregado que se mostrou como alternativa viável pelo resultado favorável com bons resultados.

Equine leukoencephalomalacia: report of five cases

Relatam-se 5 casos de leucoencefalomalácia em eqüinos associados com a ingestäo de milho mofado, ocorridos durante o inverno de 1990, provenientes de 3 propriedades no Estado de Säo Paulo, nos municípios de Poá, Pirassununga e Santana do Parnaíba. Os animais apresentaram sinais clínicos semelhantes como ataxia, cegueira, disfagia, andar em círculos e convulsöes. Ao exame necroscópico, os cérebros encontravam-se congestos, revelando ao corte áreas de cavitaçäo ao nível da substância branca sub-cortical. O exame histopatológico exibiu lesöes ao nível de substância branca, caracterizadas por necrose de liquefaçäo, hemorragias focais e infiltrados celulares nos espaços de Virchow-Robin, compostos predominantemente por polimorfonucleares (eosinófilos e neutrófilos), associados a mononucleares. Análises microbiológicas demonstram que Fusarium moniliforme foi o fungo mais freqüente (1.9 x 106 UFC/g de alimento)