Therapeutic Management of Nasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) in a Dog

A male Spitz dog was presented with history of frequent sneezing, coughing, dyspnoea and occasional epistaxis. Detailed clinical examination revealed soft tissue swelling at the right side of maxilla. Radiography of skull revealed soft tissue swelling and osteolysis of alveolar bone at premolar region. Fine needle aspiration cytology revealed absence of cyst, abscess or haematoma. Histopathology revealed squamous cell carcinoma involving the nasal cavity and maxilla. The dog was treated medically with Vincristine sulphate intravenous weekly once for four consecutive weeks which led to complete regression of soft tissue swelling and overall improvement of the condition. The symptoms started to re-appear after four weeks and the condition was diagnosed as a recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma. The animal was given five doses of Vincristine sulphate at weekly intervals. The dog responded well as evident from the disappearance of symptoms. A follow up after five months did not give any indication of relapse.