Clinicopathological Features of Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour in Stray Dogs in Abuja Municipal Area Council, FCT

Canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT) is a contagious neoplasm of dogs transmitted by sexual contact and directly implanted neoplastic cells, and represents one of the most frequently encountered reproductive tumours in free-roaming dog populations across Nigeria. This study examined the clinicopathological characteristics of CTVT in stray dogs captured within Abuja Municipal Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, between January and October 2023. Forty-one dogs with visible genital masses were examined clinically and sampled for cytological and histopathological analysis. Impression smears and fine-needle aspirates were stained with modified Wright-Giemsa stain. Biopsy specimens were fixed in formalin and processed for haematoxylin and eosin staining. Cytologically, tumour aspirates revealed sheets and clusters of round to polygonal cells with round vesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and pale vacuolated cytoplasm containing numerous cytoplasmic vacuoles. Histopathologically, the neoplastic cells were arranged in solid sheets separated by fine fibrovascular stroma, with moderate mitotic activity. Ulceration and secondary bacterial infection were documented in 68.3 percent of cases. The tumour involved the vagina and vulva in females and the penile mucosa in males. These findings support CTVT as a major reproductive health burden in unsterilised street dog populations. The study recommends routine stray dog sterilisation campaigns, improved stray dog management policies, and enhanced veterinary outreach programmes in the FCT. Keywords: CTVT, canine, transmissible tumour, cytology, histopathology