Occurrence of canine mammary and skin/ subcutaneous neoplasms in and around Thrissur district of Kerala during 2017-2020: A review of 265 cases

Abstract

The study was conducted in 265 clinical cases of mammary and skin/ subcutaneous neoplasms in dogs presented to University Veterinary Hospitals Mannuthy and Kokkalai during a period of 36 months from October 2017 to September 2020. Mammary neoplasms were found more in females (51.7 per cent) than in males whereas skin and subcutaneous neoplasms were found more in male dogs (48.3 per cent). The maximum occurrence of neoplasms was recorded in the age group of eight to twelve years (38.5 per cent) whereas least occurrence was noticed in the age group up to four years (9 per cent). Labrador and Rottweiler breeds were found more affected with neoplasms (38 per cent each) with highest occurrence of mammary neoplasms in inguinal mammary glands (35.03 per cent) and highest occurrence of skin/ subcutaneous neoplasms on sites involving trunk region (14.06 per cent cases). Eighty-three per cent of the neoplasm cases in the present study were pet dogs with a greater number of dogs maintained in outdoor kennels and 17 per cent of neoplasm was found in free-roaming dogs rescued from streets. Out of total 265 dogs, 37.73 per cent dogs were found to be having commercial dog food as their main feed and 32 per cent dogs were fed with a mixed diet of homemade food and commercial dog food. Among the cases, 14.71 per cent dogs had a previous history of cancer surgery