In recent years, many studies have focused their attention on the dog as a proper animal model for human cancer. In dogs, mammary tumors develop spontaneously, involving a complex interplay between tumor cells and the immune system and revealing several molecular and clinical similarities to human breast cancer. In this review, we summarized the major features of canine mammary tumor, risk factors, and the most important biomarkers used for diagnosis and treatment. Traditional therapy of mammary tumors in dogs includes surgery, which is the first choice, followed by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hormonal therapy. However, these therapeutic strategies may not always be sufficient on their own; advancements in understanding cancer mechanisms and the development of innovative treatments offer hope for improved outcomes for oncologic patients. There is still a growing interest in the use of personalized medicine, which should play an irreplaceable role in the research not only in human cancer therapy, but also in veterinary oncology. Moreover, immunotherapy may represent a novel and promising therapeutic option in canine mammary cancers. The study of novel therapeutic approaches is essential for future research in both human and veterinary oncology.

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This retrospective study was undertaken on the records of intraluminal diameter of the trachea in 185 dogs, in which hypoplasia of the trachea had been suspected. The relative size of the trachea was measured using the tracheal diameter (TD), thoracic inlet distance (TI), thoracic tracheal diameter (TT) and the width of the third rib (3R), expressed as ratios TD:TI and TT:3R. Thirty-five dogs were diagnosed as having tracheal hypoplasia. Bulldogs and non-bulldog brachycephalic dogs had significantly smaller measured trachea diameters compared to the predicted values calculated on the basis of their body weight. Radiographs of each dog were investigated by four observers. Inter- and intra-observer reliability (ICC_inter, ICC_intra) was based on the measurements taken by four observers to evaluate the reproducibility of the protocol. There was a good ICC_inter (0.8) and ICC_intra (0.89) agreement. Craniocaudal tangential radiographs, centred on the cranial thoracic aperture, did not show a significant difference in tracheal diameter measurements compared to the right lateral radiographs. In conclusion, our findings indicate that bulldogs and non-bulldog brachycephalic dogs have smaller tracheal diameters than non-brachycephalic dogs.

The aim of this study was to determine and compare values of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cancer antigen (CA 15-3) in 50 bitches with mammary tumors and 150 clinically healthy dogs. A modified procedure was used to determine the CEA and CA 15-3 markers with the human kits using the radioimmunoassay method (RIA). Samples collected from extirpated tumors of mammary glands were histologically processed and classified as per WHO guidelines. The mean values of the carcinoembryonic antigen markers ± SD were as follows: control group 0.89 ± 0.79, group with mammary gland tumor 1.53 ± 1.15. The values of cancer antigen markers CA 15-3 ± SD were: 1.52 ± 0.66 and 2.87 ± 1.11, respectively. The statistical significance for the carcinoembryonic antigen marker between groups was P < 0.0001. The cancer antigen CA 15-3 values between groups were also statistically significant with P < 0.0001. The results of the present study show that there are significant differences in both antigens between the control group and groups with mammary gland tumor in dogs.

A 4-year-old intact female Standard Wirehaired Dachshund dog was referred with chief complaint of inguinal mass to the Small Animal Clinic at the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Slovakia. On physical examination, the bitch was healthy with no abnormalities other than having a non-painful and non-reducible soft tissue mass in the left inguinal region also involving the mammary gland. Ultrasonographic examination of the abdomen revealed a pregnant uterus and ultrasonography of the inguinal mass showed an organ with a lumen filled with anaechoic fluid. The diagnosis of a herniation was made and the owners decided for complete ovariohysterectomy. The left uterine horn had an incarcerated part of the inguinal hernia together with the ovary. Inside there was one macerated conceptus. The remaining part of the left uterine horn was located in the abdomen and had 2 macerated conceptuses. The bitch made an uneventful recovery from the surgery and anaesthesia with no postoperative complications and was sent home after the surgical procedure.