THE MANAGEMENT OF CANINE TRANSMISSIBLE VENEREAL TUMOR (TVT) IN AN INDIGENOUS FEMALE DOG: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) which is also known as transmissible venereal tumor (TVT), canine transmissible venereal sarcoma (CTVS), sticker tumor and infectious sarcoma, is a highly contagious neoplasm, usually transmitted through coitus especially in dogs and other canines. The etiology appears to be cell transplant from affected to unaffected dogs, CTVT originates from a somatic cell lineage whose genome persists in dogs for more than 5,000 years and has undergone a process of introgression from coyotes to pre-contact dogs, characterized as a contagious tumor with worldwide spreading, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. In male dogs the tumor is usually on the foreskin of the penis, while in female dog it affects the vulva. Cytology is largely employed for diagnosis. The tumor is many times self- limiting and vincristine sulfate is currently considered the most effective therapy. The study evaluates the management process of TVT of a 2-year-old indigenous female dog weighing 20 kg which was presented with symptoms of canine transmissible venereal tumor to the Veterinary clinic of the college of Agriculture Akure.