EFFICACY OF CHEMOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF VENEREAL TUMOURS IN DOGS

Introduction. Canine transmissible venereal tumours are an important clinical problem in owned and shelter dogs. This study investigated their occurrence in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and compared outcomes after combination chemotherapy, vincristine monotherapy and surgical excision. Materials and Methods. Research was conducted during 2022–2025 at the Vet Nur clinic and municipal shelters. Clinical and oncological examinations identified 38 affected dogs. Fifteen dogs were allocated to three groups of five using matched selection. All dogs underwent clinical, oncological and haematological examinations before treatment, and housing and feeding conditions were kept comparable between groups. The first group received vincristine, cyclophosphamide and prednisolone; the second received vincristine alone; and the control group underwent surgical excision. Clinical outcomes were monitored for one year. Results. Of the 38 dogs, 12 were privately owned (31.5%) and 26 were shelter animals (68.5%). Females accounted for 55–60% of cases, and most affected dogs were aged 3–6 years. Combination chemotherapy produced tumour regression within 4–6 weeks, with remission reported as 97% and no observed metastases or recurrences during follow-up. Remission after monotherapy was reported as 90%; pulmonary metastasis was detected in one eight-year-old female. Three surgically treated dogs developed recurrences within 3–6 months and required further surgery. Discussion and Conclusions. The observed outcomes favour combination chemotherapy over the other approaches in this cohort. However, the small treatment groups and the need to clarify the calculation of remission percentages limit interpretation of comparative efficacy. Ways of Future Research and Implications. Larger controlled studies should use clearly defined response criteria, evaluate adverse effects and confirm recurrence-free outcomes. Standardised reporting of individual responses is needed to support reliable comparisons between treatment protocols. Improved surveillance and reproductive management in shelters may help inform prevention and clinical decision-making.