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Veterinary Medicine Diseases, Pristina (2025)

15/08/2025

Lipomas and Liposarcomas (Adipose Tumors)

What is a lipoma?
A lipoma is a common, benign (harmless) fat tumor seen in middle-aged to older animals. These tumors occur often in dogs and infrequently in cats.
They can vary greatly in their rate of growth. Some may remain the same size for years, while others may grow very large.

Lipomas can become problematic if they cause discomfort for your pet or if they grow in locations that affect your pet’s ability to walk.
Lipomas can grow anywhere (even inside the abdomen), but the most common place is under the skin, where fat is normally present.
If they grow between layers of muscle, they are called infiltrative lipomas.

The malignant form of this tumor is called liposarcoma. Fortunately, these tumors usually do not spread to other places in the body, but they require more extensive surgery to control them than lipomas.

What causes this type of tumor?
The reason why a particular pet may develop this, or any tumor or cancer, is not straightforward.
Very few tumors or cancers have a single known cause.
Most seem to be caused by a complex mix of risk factors, some environmental and some genetic or hereditary.

How are these types of tumors diagnosed?
Typically, lipomas can be diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA).
FNA involves taking a small needle with a syringe and suctioning a sample of cells directly from the tumor and placing them on a microscope slide.
The cells on these microscope slides can be examined by a pathologist (cytology).

In some cases, results from FNA may not be clear, and a biopsy may be necessary. A biopsy is the surgical removal of a piece of the tumor, which is then examined by a veterinary pathologist under the microscope (histopathology).
Histopathology helps make a definitive diagnosis. Advanced imaging, such as a CT scan, may also be recommended, especially for infiltrative lipomas or suspect liposarcomas.

How do these types of tumors typically progress?
Lipomas are benign, which means they are not cancerous and will not spread (metastasize) to the surrounding tissues or internal organs; however, these tumors may continue to grow and cause your pet discomfort if not removed.
Once removed, the likelihood of recurrence is relatively low. However, it is very common for middle-aged to older dogs to have multiple lipomas.
Every lipoma is different; some may grow rapidly, and some may take years to grow large enough to be of concern.

Liposarcomas, however, are malignant, and have a much higher recurrence after surgical removal. Multiple surgeries may be required to remove the tumors. In addition, liposarcoma can spread, although this is rare. Liposarcomas are typically treated more aggressively than lipomas.

How will this type of tumor affect my pet?
In cases of benign lipomas, removal of these masses is primarily cosmetic. Some pets develop these tumors in areas that cause discomfort and/or lameness, such as their armpit region, between their legs, or around the neck. You may see your pet exhibit an irregular gait, reluctance to stand, walk upstairs, or go for their normal walks.

How are these tumors treated?
The most effective treatment for lipomas is surgical removal. It is best to remove these masses when they are small; the surgery is usually less invasive, and the incision is much smaller and less painful for your pet. As lipomas continue to grow, surgery may become more difficult for both your veterinarian and your pet.

Liposarcomas and infiltrative lipomas may be best removed by a board-certified veterinary surgeon, as these procedures are more challenging. Post-surgical radiation therapy may be recommended for recurrent, infiltrative lipomas or liposarcomas.

One study shows promise for a steroid called triamcinolone acetate in shrinking tumors. The drug is injected directly into the lipoma to cause shrinkage, but recurrence may occur. This treatment could be considered for dogs if surgery is not an option.

© Copyright 2025 LifeLearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license.

By Courtney Barnes, BSc, DVM; Malcolm Weir, DVM, MSc, MPH; Christopher Pinard, DVM
Print Vet Bio Print Article

Ref: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/adipose-lipoma-tumors

13/08/2025

Pyometra in Dogs

What is pyometra?
Pyometra is a serious and life-threatening infection in the uterus. The condition must be treated quickly and aggressively.

Pyometra is a secondary infection due to hormonal changes in a female's reproductive tract. Following estrus (heat), progesterone levels remain elevated for several weeks, stimulating the uterine lining to thicken in preparation for pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur for several estrous cycles, the lining increases in thickness until cysts form in the uterus. This condition is called cystic endometrial hyperplasia. The thickened cystic lining secretes fluids, creating an ideal environment where bacteria can grow. Additionally, high progesterone levels inhibit the ability of the muscles in the wall of the uterus to contract and expel accumulated fluids or bacteria.

Another contributing factor is that white blood cells, which normally protect against infection, are inhibited from entering the uterus during estrus. This normal occurrence allows s***m to safely enter the female's reproductive tract without being damaged or destroyed by these white blood cells.

The combination of these factors can often lead to life-threatening infection.

What else can cause changes in the uterus?
Progesterone-based drugs can cause changes in the uterus similar to the estrous cycle. In addition, estrogen or synthetic estrogen drugs will increase the effects of progesterone on the uterus. Drugs containing both estrogen and progesterone are sometimes used to treat certain conditions of the reproductive system. Any intact female receiving hormones must be carefully monitored for the development of pyometra.

How do bacteria enter the uterus?
The cervix is the gateway to the uterus. It remains tightly closed except during estrus when it relaxes to allow s***m to enter the uterus. If the cervix is open or relaxed, bacteria normally found in the va**na can enter the uterus easily. If the uterus is normal, the uterine environment is aversive to bacterial survival; however, when the uterine wall is thickened or cystic, perfect conditions exist for bacterial growth. In addition, when these abnormal conditions exist, the muscles of the uterus cannot contract properly either due to the thickening of the uterine wall or the hormone progesterone. This means that bacteria that enter the uterus cannot be expelled.

"...when the uterine wall is thickened or cystic, perfect conditions exist for bacterial growth."
When does pyometra occur?
Pyometra may occur in any sexually intact young to middle-aged dog; however, it is most common in older dogs. Typically, the dog has been in heat within the previous four weeks. After many years of estrous cycles without pregnancy, the uterine wall undergoes the changes that promote this disease. Pyometra usually occurs two to eight weeks after the last estrous or the heat cycle.

What are the clinical signs of pyometra?
The clinical signs depend on whether the cervix remains open. Purulent discharge will drain from the uterus through the va**na to the outside if it is open. This discharge may be observed on the skin or hair under the tail or on bedding and furniture where the dog has recently laid. With an open pyometra, fever, lethargy, anorexia, and depression may or may not be present.

If the cervix is closed, the discharge that forms cannot drain to the outside. It collects in the uterus, causing distention of the abdomen. The bacteria release toxins that are absorbed into the circulation. Dogs with closed pyometra become severely ill very rapidly. They are anorectic (will not eat), listless, and depressed. Vomiting or diarrhea may also be present.

Toxins released by the bacteria affect the kidney's ability to retain fluid. Increased urine production occurs, and the dog drinks large amounts of water to compensate. This occurs in both open- and closed-cervix pyometra.

How is pyometra diagnosed?
Dogs examined early in the course of the disease may have a slight va**nal discharge and show no other signs of illness. However, most dogs with pyometra are seen later in the illness. Any very ill female dog drinking an increased amount of water and has not been spayed should be suspected of having pyometra. This is especially true if there is a va**nal discharge or a painful, enlarged abdomen.

Dogs with pyometra usually have a severe elevation of the white blood cell count. They often have an elevation of globulins, a protein often associated with the immune system, in the blood. The specific gravity (concentration) of the urine is very low due to the toxic effects of the bacteria on the kidneys. However, these changes are non-specific and may be present in any dog with a major bacterial infection.

If the cervix is closed, radiographs (X-rays) of the abdomen will often identify the enlarged uterus. If the cervix is open, there will often be such minimal uterine enlargement that the radiograph will not be conclusive. An ultrasound examination may help identify an enlarged uterus and differentiate that from a normal pregnancy.

How is pyometra treated?
The preferred treatment is to surgically remove the uterus and ovaries by performing an ovariohysterectomy (spay). Dogs diagnosed in the early stage of the disease are very good surgical candidates. The pyometra surgery is somewhat more complicated than a routine spay at this stage. However, most dogs are diagnosed when they are quite ill, resulting in a more complicated surgical procedure and a longer period of hospitalization. Intravenous fluids are required to stabilize the dog before and after surgery. Antibiotics are usually given for two weeks post-operatively.

"The preferred treatment is to surgically remove the uterus and ovaries by performing an ovariohysterectomy (spay)."

I want to breed my dog in the future. Is there an alternative to surgery?

For most dogs, surgery is strongly recommended to treat pyometra. There is a medical approach to treating pyometra, although the success rate is highly variable and not without considerable risk and potential long-term complications. Prostaglandins are a group of hormones that lower the blood level of progesterone, relax and open the cervix, and cause the uterus to contract, expelling the bacteria and pus. They can be used to treat this disease, but they are not always successful and have some important limitations.

They cause side effects, including restlessness, panting, vomiting, defecation, salivation, and abdominal pain. The side effects occur about fifteen minutes after administration and often last a few hours. They become progressively milder with each successive treatment. The pain may be lessened by exercising your dog or distracting her for about 30 minutes following an injection.
There is no clinical improvement for about 48 hours, so severely ill dogs who need immediate life-saving treatment are poor candidates.
Because prostaglandins cause the uterus to contract, it is possible for the uterus to rupture and spill infection into the abdominal cavity, resulting in the severely life-threatening condition known as peritonitis. This is most likely to happen when the cervix is closed.
The use of prostaglandins to treat pyometra has variable rates of success, recurrence of the disease, and successful breeding in the future. Your veterinarian will help you decide the best course of treatment depending on your dog’s needs.

What happens if pyometra is not treated?

The chance of successful resolution without surgery or prostaglandin treatment is extremely low. If treatment is not performed quickly, the toxic effects from the bacteria will be fatal in many cases. If the cervix is closed, the uterus can rupture, spilling the infection into the abdominal cavity. This will be fatal. Pyometra is a serious medical condition that requires prompt treatment.

© Copyright 2022 LifeLearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license.

By Malcolm Weir, DVM, MSc, MPH; Ernest Ward, DVM

Ref:

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/pyometra-in-dogs

Pic x-ray taken from : https://www.amcny.org/pet_health_library/pyometra/

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13/08/2025

Eyelid, Conjunctival, and Peri-ocular Tumors

What types of tumors affect the eyelids, conjunctiva, and periocular tissues?

The eyelids and surrounding tissues (e.g., conjunctiva) are considered extensions of the skin. Therefore, the types of tumors that can develop in the skin can also develop in these tissues.

In general, tumors develop from the abnormal growth and unregulated replication of cells that make up body tissues. The eyelids and surrounding tissues are made up of many kinds of cells.

The edges of the eyelids, for example, have tiny glands, called meibomian glands, containing cells that produce secretions to lubricate the eye. If these cells over-multiply, they develop into benign tumors called meibomian gland adenomas (non-cancerous) or meibomian gland adenocarcinomas, a less common malignant tumor.

The edges of the eyelids also have melanocytes, cells that produce pigment. If these cells over-multiply, they cause tumors called melanomas. And when skin (squamous) cells over-multiply, they cause squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Similarly, the conjunctiva contains lymphoid tissue cells, and if these over-multiply, they cause lymphomas or mast cell tumors. Other types of tumors can affect the eyelids, conjunctiva, and periocular tissues, but the ones listed above are the most diagnosed tumors.

What causes these types of tumors?
Why a pet may develop these types of tumors, or any cancer, is not straightforward. Very few cancers have a single known cause. Most seem to be caused by a complex mix of risk factors, some environmental and some genetic or hereditary.

"Very few cancers have a single known cause."
Squamous cell carcinoma has been attributed to exposure to ultraviolet rays/sunlight. Breeds with light-colored haircoats and breeds that are hairless are especially at risk. Otherwise, the causes of these types of tumors are not clear.

What are the signs of these types of tumors?

The signs of these tumors can vary, depending on the type of tumor, where it grows, and whether it is benign or malignant. Benign tumors tend to be polyp- or cauliflower-like in appearance. They may grow on the inside or outside the eyelids. If they come into contact with the clear surface of the eye (the cornea), they can cause painful corneal scratches that can lead to corneal ulcers.

They can also cause general irritation and inflammation, leading to eye infections. Malignant tumors tend to be irregular or nodular in appearance. They may ulcerate (break open) and bleed, and become inflamed, infected, and painful.

Other signs that your pet may have a tumor of the eyelid, conjunctiva, or periocular tissue include:

squinting
eye discharge
protrusion of the third eyelid
roughening/thickening of the conjunctiva
repeated pawing or rubbing the eye

How are these types of tumors diagnosed?

Your veterinarian may use a procedure called fine needle aspiration (FNA) to make a diagnosis. FNA involves taking a small needle with a syringe and suctioning a sample of cells directly from the tumor and placing them on a microscope slide. A veterinary pathologist then examines the slide under a microscope.

In some cases, when the results from FNA are not entirely clear or when surgical removal of the tumor is otherwise indicated, the entire tumor is removed and assessed to get a definitive diagnosis. The tumor is examined by a veterinary pathologist under the microscope. This is called histopathology. Histopathology helps to make a diagnosis and can also indicate how the tumor is likely to behave.

How do these types of tumors typically progress?
Depending on the type of tumor, its location, and whether it is benign or malignant, these types of tumors may be slow- or fast-growing and may or may not metastasize (spread elsewhere in the body). Tumors in the conjunctiva are likely to grow more quickly than tumors of the eyelids and tend to invade the surrounding tissue and spread to other sites.

Benign tumors typically grow slowly and locally. Malignant tumors can grow more quickly and growth depends on the type of tumor – and even the type of pet. For example, in dogs, squamous cell carcinomas do not tend to metastasize, while in cats, they do. Malignant tumors can spread locally, extending into the underlying tissues, or to other areas of the body, including the nearby lymph nodes, lungs, and bone.

Depending on the type of tumor (benign or malignant), staging is sometimes recommended (searching for potential spread to other locations in the body). Staging may include X-rays (radiographs) of the lungs, bloodwork, urinalysis, and possibly an abdominal ultrasound or CT scan. If the lymph nodes appear to be affected, they may be sampled by FNA to determine if spread has occurred.

What are the treatments for these types of tumors?
The treatments for these types of tumors vary with the type of tumor, its location, and its size, and may include surgical removal, radiation therapy, and freezing (cryotherapy). In some cases, medical therapy (antibiotics, anti-inflammatories) may be indicated to control pain and clear secondary bacterial infections.

"Prompt removal helps to prevent secondary problems and, in cases of malignancy, reduces the chance for metastasis."
These tumors are usually surgically removed because they tend to be disfiguring, bothersome, sometimes painful, and may predispose the pet to secondary problems such as eye infections and corneal ulcers. Prompt removal helps to prevent secondary problems and, in cases of malignancy, reduces the chance for metastasis. Tumors of the conjunctiva typically require more extensive surgery to remove than do tumors of the eyelids. After surgery, regular rechecks are advisable, as conjunctival tumors may regrow.

In many cases, these tumors may be removed by your veterinarian; however, a referral to an ophthalmologist may be recommended. Surgery on the tissues around the eye may cause side effects, including: irritation of the cornea from exposed suture, entropion (rolling in of the eyelid), incision breakdown, abnormal eyelash direction causing corneal irritation (trichiasis), reduced tear production (dry eye), and inability to fully close the eye, causing exposure irritation.

What is the prognosis?
The prognosis for tumors of the eyelids, conjunctiva, and periocular tissues depends on the type of cancer, its location, and whether it is benign or malignant. It also depends on how early the tumor is identified and treated. As with all cancers, early intervention offers the best prognosis.

© Copyright 2024 LifeLearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license.

By Tammy Hunter, DVM; Debbie Stoewen DVM, MSW, RSW, PhD; Christopher Pinard, DVM
Print Vet Bio Print Article

Ref: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/eyelid-conjunctival-and-periocular-tumors

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12/08/2025

Urinary Bladder Cancer in Dogs

The urinary tract of dogs is comprised of two kidneys, two ureters (tubes that connect the kidneys to the urinary bladder), the urinary bladder, prostate gland (male dogs only), and the urethra (tube that connects the urinary bladder to the outside world). The urinary bladder is the most common site of cancer in the urinary tract. This week I discuss the potential causes, diagnosis, and treatment for urinary bladder cancer in dogs.

Urinary Bladder Cancer – What causes it?

The most common cancer of the urinary bladder in dogs is called transitional cell carcinoma (also called TCC and urothelial carcinoma). This tumor arises from cells lining the inside of the urinary bladder (called transitional epithelial cells), but can invade the deeper layers of the urinary bladder. Transitional cell carcinoma can also spread to regional lymph nodes and other organs like the liver and lungs.

The definitive cause of TCC in dogs is typically not known, and is generally considered to arise from a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Certain dog breeds are over-represented for developing TCC, including:

Scottish Terriers
Shetland Sheepdogs
Beagles
West Highland White Terriers
Wire Hair Fox Terriers

Scottish Terriers have an 18-20 fold higher risk of developing TCC compared to the general dog population, while the other breeds listed above have a 3-5 fold higher risk.

Early clinical studies documented an apparent risk for developing TCC with exposure to pesticides and insecticides. This association was also specifically documented in Scottish Terriers who were exposed to lawns or gardens treated with herbicides and/or insecticides. Exposed dogs were seven times more likely to develop transitional cell carcinoma, resulting in a recommendation to restrict Scottish Terriers and other at-risk breeds from lawns treated with herbicides and pesticides.

Although the most common cause of TCC in humans in smoking, a definitive relationship between secondhand smoke and the development of TCC in dogs is not yet known. A drug called cyclophosphamide has also been associated with the development of TCC in dogs.

Urinary Bladder Cancer – How is it diagnosed?

Affected dogs commonly have a variety of clinical signs, most notably:

Blood in urine (called hematuria)
Pain during urination (called dysuria)
Straining to urinate (called stranguria)
Frequently urinating only small volumes of urine (called pollakiuria)
A continual feeling of needing to defecate (called tenesmus)
The clinical signs are not specific for urinary bladder cancer, and more common conditions like urinary tract infections often have identical manifestations.

Some dogs will have a mass in or irregular feeling to their urethra and/or prostate palpable via re**al examination. Uncommonly patients may have bone pain or firm swellings of some leg bones secondary to metastatic disease (spread of cancer) or hypertrophic osteopathy, respectively. Abdominal sonography allows a veterinarian to readily identify a mass within the urinary bladder, but ultimately a diagnosis of TCC requires obtaining a biopsy.

Unlike in humans, currently there is no blood or urine test that can 100% accurately diagnose urinary bladder cancer in dogs. Researchers are actively attempting to find proteins in blood (called biomarkers) that will prove diagnostic in dogs. Biopsies from the urinary bladder are typically obtained via either surgery or cystoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure using a specialized fiberoptic camera. In the video below, a veterinarian performs cystoscopy in a dog with TCC located in urinary bladder and extending into the urethra (one can see the tumor starting at 0:54).

After a patient has been diagnosed with TCC, some minimally invasive tests should ideally be performed to determine how affected by the cancer the rest of the body is. This testing is called tumor staging, and involves obtaining chest radiographs/x-rays and abdominal radiographs/x-rays (or performing abdominal sonography).

Urinary Bladder Cancer – How is it treated?

For urinary bladder tumors that have not spread to other organs, surgical removal is ideally performed. However location of the tumor within the urinary bladder is very important. Some areas of the urinary bladder (e.g.: trigone/neck of the urinary bladder; urethra) are simply not amenable to surgery. Picture the urinary bladder like a balloon. The longer yet thinner area of the balloon represents the urethra. The area where the balloon starts to widen is called the trigone or neck; important structures like the ureters insert in this location. Traditional surgery in the trigone and urethra are not feasible.

After surgery (or in patients for whom surgery is not viable), drug treatment is recommended. To date there are several protocols have been used to treat dogs living with TCC, particularly:

Treatment with a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID): Several NSAIDs have been documented to have some anti-tumor activity. Piroxicam is, perhaps, the NSAID that has been studied most. The reported median survival time for dogs treated with this drug is 195 days.

Treatment with an NSAID and mitoxantrone: When an NSAID is combined with the intravenous chemotherapy drug called mioxantrone, an additional survival benefit is observed. A remission rate of 35% has been documented, and average survival rates are 250-300 days.

Treatment with vinblastine: Vinblastine is an injectable chemotherapeutic drug that been used effectively to improve quality of life in patients living with TCC.
Other drugs have been explored for the treatment of urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma in dogs, including gemcitabine, carboplatin, and metronomic therapy. I recommend pet parents consult with a board-certified veterinary cancer specialist to help design the most appropriate treatment plan for an affected patient. In areas where a board-certified veterinary cancer specialist is not available, consultation with a board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist is recommended.

Palliative therapies for transitional cell carcinoma have also been investigated, including:

Placement of a permanent cystotomy tube: A permanent cystotomy tube is a tube placed in the urinary bladder that communicates with the outside world; such a tube may be placed when an animal is no longer able to urinate because his/her urinary bladder tumor is blocking the proper flow of urine. Pet parents have to routinely open the tube to allow the urine to drain from the urinary bladder. Thus use of a permanent cystotomy tube requires exquisite at-home care to ensure a pet doesn’t disturb/damage the tube and to help reduce the likelihood of infection.
Radiation therapy: Although several protocols for providing radiation therapy to affected patients have been described, such intervention is not commonly performed due to limited availability and potentially serious side effects.
Laser therapy: Affected pets with urinary outflow obstruction may temporarily benefit from laser ablation of a urethral or trigonal urinary mass. Specialized training is required to perform such procedures. Laser ablation can be repeated when a tumor recurs locally.
Urethral stent placement: A stent is hollow structure that expands within the urethra to hold that tube open after it has been occluded by a tumor. Although temporary relief can result, side effects include urinary incontinence and migration of the stent.

Palliative therapies may add 3-4 months of good quality life when incorporated with standard chemotherapy, and some dogs have survived more than 1.5 years.

The take-away message about urinary bladder cancer in dogs…

Urinary bladder tumors are relatively uncommon, but when present, can significantly and negatively affects a patient’s quality of life. The most common urinary bladder tumor is transitional cell carcinoma. Early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention are instrumental for maximizing successful outcomes. Pet parents are strongly encouraged to partner with a board-certified veterinary cancer specialist to develop the best treatment plans for their fur babies.

To find a board-certified veterinary cancer specialist, please visit the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

To find a board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist, please visit the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

28-09-15 by CriticalCareDVM

Ref:

https://criticalcaredvm.com/urinary-bladder-cancer-in-dogs/

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