Gastric squamous cell carcinoma in three horses

Gastric squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in three horses. Clinical signs observed in all cases were weight loss, anorexia and lethargy. Respiratory signs were prominent in one case. All three horses had depressed albumin and elevated globulin and fibrinogen concentrations. Two horses were mildly anaemic. Inflammatory exudates were present in peritoneal cavities in all cases, and cytological evaluation provided a positive diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma in two cases. Pleural fluid samples taken from two cases were also classified as inflammatory exudates, but no neoplastic cells were detected on initial examination. In all cases the neoplasms had arisen from the oesophageal region of the stomach, and had metastised throughout the abdomen. Two cases had metastatic lesions within the pleural cavity.