TDK conference 2024

In the development of canine mast cell tumours (MCT) an underlying aetiology is not yet identified. It is established that continuous exposure in patients with pet allergy leads to persistent symptoms, which might be an abnormal development of mast cells. According to some previous observations, it was considered that a hypoallergenic diet could be an option to reduce the risk of canine MCTs. We aimed to prove the benefit of a hypoallergenic diet of MCT-bearing dogs. Moreover, we tried to screen their allergic symptoms in their history, and its connection to MCT development.

Altogether 100 dogs were involved in the study, 45 with full data of the efficacy of their therapy. Overall survival times (OST), and relapse-free periods (RFP) were also determined. There were 48 males, and 52 females (53 neutered) belonging to 45 different breeds and mongrels. Single and multiple lesions were found in 64 and 36 cases, respectively. Allergic symptoms were mentioned by the owners in 16 cases. Stage Lymph node involvement was detected in 31. Dogs were classified into stages as follows, stage 1: 39, stage 2: 21, stage 3: 14, stage 4: 15, stage 5: 11. There was one mastocytemic dog. The average of the largest diameter of the tumours was 3.5cm. Tumour grades were examined by histopathological or cytological evaluation. Number of cases with different grade as follows, Patnaik “1”: 31, “2”: 33, “3”: 29, Kiupel: “1”: 54, “2”: 39, respectively (7 cases were not graded). Tumour locations were also detected. The dogs were treated by surgery (No. 74), and chemotherapy as vinblastine (No. 34), mastinib (No. 29), toceranib (No. 6), and prednisolone only (No. 15). Hypoallergenic diet was provided right after the 1st examination in 43 cases.

The median OST for those that were operated on was 935 and those that were not 263 days, respectively (P = 0.183). Median RFP for dogs that were operated was 168 and those that were not 168 days, respectively (P = 0.6539). Median OST for those that received hypoallergenic diet was 935 and those that were not 298 days, respectively (P = 0.6341). Median RFP for those that received hypoallergenic diet was 468 and those that were not 91 days, respectively (P = 0.0457). Median OST for those that received hypoallergenic diet was 935 and those that were not 298 days, respectively (P = 0.6341). Non-allergic dogs were found in more advanced stage than allergic (mean: 2,52 ±1,46; mean: 1,63 ±0,70, respectively). Moreover, non-allergic dogs were found in more advanced grade than allergic (mean: 2,05 ±0,82; mean: 1,63 ±0,60, respectively). Side effects due to chemotherapy was more common in allergic dogs than non-allergic ones (mean: 0,33 ±0,47; mean: 0,13 ±0,33).

In conclusion, hypoallergenic diet was useful in alleviating patients with MCTs especially in RFP. Moreover, it seems that allergy has an impact on the clinical performance of the dogs with MCTs as allergic patients show less advanced clinical symptoms and less malignant tumours.