Temporospatial distribution and country of origin of canine transmissible venereal tumours in the UK

Abstract

Background Transmissable venereal tumour (TVT) is a tumour transplanted by physical contact between dogs. Lesions typically affect the genitalia. TVT is not considered enzootic in the United Kingdom (UK), with cases seen in imported dogs. We sought to determine the patient characteristics, temporal and spatial distribution and country of origin of affected dogs in the UK. Methods Electronic pathology records (EPRs) from four UK veterinary diagnostic laboratories collected between 2010 and 2019 were searched for the terms ‘venereal’ or ‘TVT’. Reports were reviewed for statements confirming a TVT and descriptive statistics collated. Results Of 182 EPRs matching the search terms, a diagnosis of TVT was confirmed in 71. Country of origin was noted in 36 cases (50.7%) with Romania being the most common (n = 29). Cases were reported in each UK constituent country, with the majority being in England (64, 90.1%). The incidence of TVT diagnosis increased over the last decade (z = 2.78, p = 0.005). Conclusion The incidence of TVT diagnosed in the UK is increasing. The majority of cases were known to have been imported. Autochthonous transmission cannot be excluded due to study design. Vets are encouraged to carefully examine the genitalia of dogs imported to the UK from countries with enzootic TVT.

Transmission of canine transmissible venereal tumour between two dogs in the UK

“…The increasing popularity of rehoming "rescue dogs" from Eastern Europe has been linked to increasing numbers of CTVT cases in the UK (Gibson et al 2021). Many rescue dogs appear to be incorrectly imported under a companion animal travel scheme which does not require pretravel health checks (Norman et al 2020, Jarvis 2023, Loeb & Mack 2023.…”

“…Cases in the UK are occasionally observed in dogs imported from endemic areas (Strakova & Murchison 2014, Gibson et al . 2021, Jarvis 2023, Loeb & Mack 2023).…”

Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor: An Infectious Neoplasia in Dogs

“…CTVT is now a common disease worldwide that has been reported on all inhabited continents. However, CTVT has a higher prevalence in tropical and subtropical regions and is uncommon in North America and Northern and Central Europe, although occasional cases have been reported in imported dogs [5,10]. An interesting feature of this cancer is that it is usually curable via several protocols.…”

Sex disparity in oronasal presentations of canine transmissible venereal tumour

“…CTVT originated in a single dog living several thousand years ago, 1–5 and has since spread through the canine population worldwide 6 . The disease is prevalent in countries with free‐roaming dog populations but also occurs elsewhere in dogs imported from endemic areas 6,7 …”

“…6 The disease is prevalent in countries with free-roaming dog populations but also occurs elsewhere in dogs imported from endemic areas. 6,7 Mating is the most common route of CTVT transmission, and CTVT usually manifests clinically as tumours associated with the external genitalia in both male and female dogs. 8 However, extragenital body sites, including the skin, eyes, nasal areas, mouth, rectum and internal organs, can also be affected.…”