Prevalence and Histopathologic Analyses of Mammary Tumors in Female Dogs in the Northeast of Algeria

Abstract

Cancers development and complications are a major cause of death in dogs all over the world. The current study attempts to describe the prevalence and anatomo-pathologic traits of mammary gland tumors (MGTs) in bitches in northeast Algeria. From November 2013 to April 2016, a total of 215 bitches originating from four provinces (Constantine, Oum El Bouaghi, Annaba and Skikda) were enrolled. The overall prevalence of MGTs was 19.53%. It was higher in littoral provinces (27.22%) than in inland ones (15.33%). A high rate was documented in Caniche (43.75%) as compared to Cross-breed (16.17%) and German shepherd (14.78%) bitches. The mean age of positively diagnosed animals was 9±0.3 years and the mean size of tumors was 5.4±04 cm. Histopathological classification revealed that 40.47% tumors were benign (mainly benign mixed tumors and benign complex tumors), 30.95% were malignant (especially epidermoid carcinoma, mammary sarcoma and malignant complex tumors) and 28.57% were identified as dysplasia (Mostly Osteo-mammary, benign hyperplasia and fibrocystic mastopathy). Finally, more epidemiological investigations are needed to determine the risk factors that may be implicated in the initiation and evolution of these health problems.