Tail-tip chordoma in a ferret: cytology with histological and immunohistochemical confirmation

A 4.5-year-old, healthy female intact ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was presented with a mass on the tip of its tail. Cytological, histopathological and immunohistochemical features were compatible with those of a chordoma. The present case describes and illustrates cytology findings and diagnosis of chordoma, confirmed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry

Hemangiosarcoma of the third eyelid in a horse

A 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare was referred to the equine clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Ghent University) for a mass on the third eyelid of the right eye. The horse had been having a recurrent red-tinged ocular discharge for several months. After complete ophthalmologic examination, a large part of the third eyelid was surgically excised and submitted for histopathologic examination. The histopathologic examination revealed a proliferation of blood-filled vascular spaces lined by a single layer of flattened cells, which were identified as endothelial cells using immunohistochemistry. The tumor was identified as a cavernous low-grade hemangiosarcoma. No complications were reported six months after surgery

Stem/progenitor cells in non-lactating versus lactating equine mammary gland

The mammary gland is a highly regenerative organ that can undergo multiple cycles of proliferation, lactation, and involution. Based on the facts that (i) mammary stem/progenitor cells (MaSC) are proposed to be the driving forces behind mammary growth and function and (ii) variation exists between mammalian species with regard to physiological and pathological functioning of this organ, we believe that studying MaSC from different mammals is of great comparative interest. Over the years, important data has been gathered on MaSC of men and mice, although knowledge on MaSC in other mammals remains limited. Therefore, the aim of this work was to isolate and characterize MaSC from the mammary gland of horses. Hereby, our salient findings were that the isolated equine cells met the 2 in vitro hallmark properties of stem cells, namely the ability to self-renew and to differentiate into multiple cell lineages. Moreover, the cells were immunophenotyped using markers for CD29, CD44, CD49f, and Ki67. Finally, we propose the mammosphere assay as a valuable in vitro assay to study MaSC during different physiological phases since it was observed that equine lactating mammary gland contains significantly more mammosphere-initiating cells than the inactive, nonlactating gland (a reflection of MaSC self-renewal) and, moreover, that these spheres were significantly larger in size upon initial cultivation (a reflection of progenitor cell proliferation). Taken together, this study not only extends the current knowledge of mammary gland biology, but also benefits the comparative approach to study and compare MaSC in different mammalian species

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction in a Bernese Mountain Dog

Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction (CIPO) is a rare syndrome characterized by chronic intestinal dilation and dysmotility in the absence of mechanical obstruction. A definite diagnosis of CIPO can only be made after histological examination of intestinal tissues. The present case describes a CIPO in a 2.5-year-old Bernese Mountain dog with a history of recurrent gastro-intestinal complaints suggestive for pseudo-obstruction. Histological lesions of small intestinal samples consisted of severe loss of smooth muscle cells of the tunica muscularis and diffuse infiltration of mononuclear cells. In addition, a hypertrophy of the lamina muscularis mucosa of the small intestinal tract was present. On the basis of these findings and the results of immunohistochemistry, a myopathic form of CIPO was diagnosed

Oviductal and uterine leiomyomata in mares

This paper describes a case of a sessile uterine leiomyoma in a 17-year-old chronic infertile Selle Francais mare. The mass was removed by transendoscopic electrocoagulation. In the same period, 725 mares were screened for oviductal and uterine solid masses in a slaughterhouse survey. Two uterine masses and one oviductal mass were detected in three different mares. Histological and immunohistochemical examination revealed leiomyoma in the four masses. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an oviductal leiomyoma in a mare

Caniene cutane mastceltumoren

Canine cutaneous mast cell tumors (cMCT) are a commonly encountered neoplasia in small animal practice. Ninety-six percent of the cMCT can be diagnosed with cytology. Because of the variating biological character, it's difficult to establish a prognosis. Therefore, the prognosis is assessed with multiple prognostic factors: tumor location, systemic complaints, metastases, histological and cytological grading, proliferation markers, KIT-staining pattern, KIT-mutation and tumor free margins. The treatment of choice is based upon the results of these prognostic factors, the clinical stage and the tumor location. Possible treatments include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, electrochemotherapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, cryotherapy and intraregional therapy with deionized water