Castration for treatment of perianal gland neoplasms in the dog

Neoplasms of the perianal gland are common in the dog, particularly the male. Adenomas of the gland develop about 4.5 times more often than do carcinomas of the gland. The adenoma is hormone dependent; thus, castration without excision of the tumor has been successful in promoting regression without recurrence. Microscopic examination of the testes from dogs with perianal gland neoplasms has revealed 1 in 10 with tubular atrophy and 1 in 3 with testicular neoplasia. Interstitial cell tumors have been seen more often than other cell types of testis tumors.     

Metastases of perianal gland carcinoma in a dog: palliative tumor therapy

Palliative radiation therapy may provide significant relief in symptoms in pets with incurable cancer. Therapy is applied over a short period of time, using larger than normal fractional doses. Palliative radiation leads to minimal or no side effects. This case report describes the situation of a miniature poodle that was presented with severe dyschezia as well as fresh blood in the feces. The dog had a large abdominal mass which was diagnosed as lymph-node metastasis of a perianal gland carcinoma. Therapy included palliative radiation as well as chemotherapy. Six months after initial presentation the dog is free of clinical symptoms.     

Cyclosporine treatment of perianal gland adenoma concurrent with benign prostatic hyperplasia in a dog

A 13-year-old, intact male, mixed-breed dog was evaluated for multiple intradermal nodules around the anus. The nodules were diagnosed as perianal gland adenoma based on histopathologic examination. After therapy with cyclosporin A for 5 wk, the perianal masses were moderately shrunken. The dog's condition has remained stable over 6 mo.     

Histology of salivary gland infarction in the dog.

Salivary gland infarction was found in two adult dogs. The main changes were ischaemic necrosis, capsular fibrosis and regenerative hyperplasia of surviving ductal epithelium. Necrosis of arterial tunica media and thrombosis were found only in the infarcted parts of the salivary glands. The lesions appeared to be confined to the salivary glands; no cause of the infarction was found.     

Cyclosporin and ketoconazole interaction for treatment of perianal fistulas in the dog

OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of concurrent ketoconazole and low dose cyclosporin administration in a group of dogs with clinical evidence of perianal fistulas, and to determine if this combination could be used to manage perianal fistulas effectively. DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial PROCEDURE: Sixteen dogs with clinical evidence of perianal fistulas were given ketoconazole (10 mg/kg once daily) and cyclosporin (1 mg/kg twice daily initially) for 16 weeks. Blood cyclosporin assays were performed regularly and cyclosporin doses were altered to achieve a stable blood level above 200 ng/mL. Regular examinations assessed the dogs' general health, changes in clinical behaviour, fistula size and number. A complete blood count and serum biochemical analysis was performed in all dogs before and after the treatment period, and after 8 weeks of treatment in 12 dogs. Dogs were assessed for recurrence of lesions at 1, 3 and 12 months after the trial. RESULTS: All dogs showed marked improvement in lesions and behaviour within 14 days of the medication. Fourteen dogs completed the trial. Two dogs were excluded due to concurrent disease. Thirteen dogs (93%) showed complete resolution of fistulas during the treatment period. Seven dogs (50%) had no recurrence after 12 months. Recurrence was seen in three dogs (21%) at 8, 10 and 12 months after treatment, and in three dogs (21%) within 1 month of treatment. The medication was well tolerated. Side effects included transient anorexia, vomiting and lethargy in some dogs, increased shedding of hair and gingival hyperplasia. Ketoconazole administration allowed a dramatic reduction in cyclosporin dose (over 90% in 12 dogs and 80% in the other two) compared to previously reported cases treated with cyclosporin alone. CONCLUSION: The use of combined ketoconazole and cyclosporin provided an effective treatment for perianal fistulas. Outcomes were similar to those seen with cyclosporin alone, but allowed a significant reduction in cyclosporin dose and, therefore, cost. The use of immunosuppressive therapy in the treatment of perianal fistulas was effective and avoided many of the problems associated with surgical treament.     

Multiple perianal infundibular follicular cysts in a dog

This case report describes a 7‐year‐old male cocker spaniel dog with multiple perianal infundibular follicular cysts. Clinically the dog had moderate anal sacculitis, peri‐anal pruritus causing it to ‘scoot’ and lick the area. On examination of the perianal area, there were over 100 firm, well circumscribed papules, ranged from 0.2 to 0.5 cm in diameter with a central pore, and were found in the perianal region. Alopecia was present in the perianal region. The skin tissue in the perianal region resected surgically was submitted for histological examination. Microscopically, the tissue revealed multiple dilated cysts filled with keratins and the papules corresponded to infundibular follicular cysts. The affected dog showed moderate anal sacculitis. Anal sacculitis commonly causes repeated scooting or licking the area around the anus. Therefore, the multiple follicular cysts in the present case appear to be primarily a sequela to chronic external trauma to the perianal area, probably in response to anal sacculitis. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present report is the first documented case of multiple perianal infundibular follicular cysts in a dog.     

Anatomic predisposition to perianal fistulae formation in the German shepherd dog

Gross and microanatomic features which may predispose the German Shepherd Dog to perianal fistulae formation were studied in 2 groups of clinically healthy dogs: a predisposed group (German Shepherd Dogs) and a control group comprising breeds not ordinarily affected by perianal fistulae. The dimensions of the anal crypts (depth, base width, and length), measured and compared statistically between samples, identified no significant variation between groups (P greater than 0.05). Major tissue components of the anal canal were measured microscopically and were similarly evaluated: epithelial height in each zone, thickness of the lamina propria in each zone, thickness of the internal and external anal sphincter muscles, and density of the circumanal, sebaceous, and apocrine sweat glands. The only significant finding was an increase in density of apocrine sweat glands in the zona cutanea in the pre-disposed dog group. In a semiquantitative analysis of the inflammatory responses frequently seen in the anal glands, more mature fibroplasia was seen in the German Shepherd Dogs, indicating that inflammation was more longstanding in this group.     

Atrichial sweat gland adenocarcinoma in the dog

An atrichial sweat gland adenocarcinoma of the foot pad is extremely rare in the dog and, until now, no cases have been reported in the literature. We report here the clinical and pathological findings of an atrichial sweat gland carcinoma of the foot pad in a 6-year-old male German Shepherd. The tumour infiltrated the subcutis, extending from the sole to the stifle, and had metastasized to the ipsilateral popliteal and internal iliac lymph nodes.     

Orbital adenocarcinoma of lacrimal gland origin in a dog.

A 13-year-old intact female mixed-breed dog was presented for a progressive enlargement of the right eye, which had been treated previously for conjunctivitis. A round, firm mass, approximately 4 cm in diameter, was protruding from the superotemporal aspect of the right orbit, displacing the eyeball anteriorly and ventromedially. The mass was encapsulated, distinct from the eyeball, and not associated with the eyelids. On cut surface, there was a pale multilobulated periphery, with a dark red, soft, and depressed core. Histologically, tumor cells formed cords and tubules, which were stained with mouse anti-human cytokeratin antibody AE1/AE3. Residual glands were serous, and the majority of tumor cells were negative for mucin. The supraorbital location, encapsulation, and residual serous glands suggest that this mass was a low-grade adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland.     

Dacryops of the lacrimal gland in a dog

A case of congenital lacrimal cyst or dacryops of the lacrimal gland in an 8‐month‐old Neapolitan Mastiff dog is reported. The dog presented with a swelling dorsolateral to the left globe, which had been present since birth. In addition, hyperplasia and prolapse of the superficial gland of the left nictitating membrane, and bilateral macropalpebral fissure and ‘diamond eye’ conformation were apparent. On manual eversion of the upper eyelid, a subconjunctival mass was visible that was translucent and pink and affected the upper conjunctival fornix. B‐mode ultrasonography revealed the presence of an echolucent thin‐walled cystic structure measuring 15 by 12 mm and containing an echodense border and a distended tubular fluid‐filled structure that extended posteriorly. A viscous and transparent fluid was aspirated from the lesion. Surgery was performed to excise the lesion, reposition the nictitans gland, and correct the morphology of the palpebral fissure. Histopathology confirmed the mass to be a cyst and distended duct of the lacrimal gland. Although tear secretion was compromised, resection of the cyst was curative.     

Parotid gland enlargement and hypersialosis in a dog

A 9-month-old Chow was presented because of persistent drooling. Sialograms shown enlarged parotid salivary glands. The drooling was controlled by bilateral parotid duct ligation.