EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF SPONTANEOUS CANINE MAMMARY TUMORS IN BULGARIA


Authors: Ivelina Grozeva
Keywords: mammary tumors in bitches, epidemiological studies

Abstract:
The epidemiological study was performed on 264 spontaneous mammary tumors from dogs admitted for examination and treatment at the University Veterinary Hospital, Trakia University - Stara Zagora, as well as from private veterinary clinics throughout Bulgaria. The studies were conducted over a four-year period (2022–2025). The neoplastic formations were processed using classical histological techniques and classified according to the histological classification for canine mammary tumors published by Goldschmidt et al. [8]. Two hundred and six (78.03%) of the neoplasms were of epithelial origin, fifty-five (20.83%) were of mixed origin, and three (1.14%) were of mesenchymal origin. Malignant tumors dominated with 64.77% (171/264), while benign tumors were 35.23% (93/264). Macroscopically, mammary tumors were single or multiple nodular masses ranging in size from 0.3 to 15 cm in diameter. The mean age of affected dogs was 9.6 years, ranging from 3 to 17 years. The most commonly affected breed was the Yorkshire Terrier. Mammary tumors were most common in Southern Bulgaria. The results of the conducted study support the conclusion that mammary tumors in dogs represent a serious problem in veterinary oncology. Their development is a dynamic process that requires timely monitoring and identification of risk groups of dogs.Download article