February 28, 2013

What Pets Owners Should Know About TVT

The cauliflower-like mass in a female Labrador.

Transmissible Venereal Tumor (TVT) of dogs is very prevalent in Puerto Princesa City. It is transmitted by transplantation of tumor cells by intercourse or even by just licking and is usually seen on intact males or females.

Owners would usually see a vulva or penis that is red, friable, and lobulated mass, that resembles a cauliflower. In some it may cause the the inability of the penis to retract after intercourse. Some would have dripping blood.

The appearance is usually diagnostic but in the clinic, we make a smear and examine it for tumor cells.

It is treatable using chemotherapeutic agents.

If your dog would not be used for breeding, better have spayed or neutered. If your pet is intact, don't allow them to roam around specially during breeding season!

Below are more photos:

A disfigured vulva of a Labrador.

An enlarged penis of an Aspin.

PVMA Convention 2013

This year's Philippine Veterinary Medical Association Convention was held in Manila, in PICC. It was a well attended event with the entire LuzViMinda represented.

Aside from the Plenary Lectures, we're able to attend the Companion Animal lectures and the some of the Animal Welfare lectures.

Among the topics we've listened in to were ultrasonography, cardiomyopathies, common poisonings, Toxoplasma gondii, cutaneous transmissible venereal tumour, sample collection for microbiology and aesthetic surgery.