A Survey Of Cutaneous Neoplasms Among Horses Used For Cultural Festivals In Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

A total of 314 Arab horses of ages ranging from 4 to 15 years were examined of which 35(11.2%) were Albino and 279(88.85%) were non albino horses. Nine horses (2.86%) were observed to have cutaneous neoplasm. Gross characteristics of the cutaneous neoplasm found were studied and some biopsy samples collected and processed for histopathology. Four (11.4%) of the Albino horses and 5(1.79%) of the non Albino horses had cutaneous neoplasm. Six (1.9%) of the tumours were papillomas while 3 (0.95%) were squamous cell carcinomas. All the cases of squamous cell carcinoma were observed in albino horses, 2 affected the eye, 1 affected the genitalia, and one case of papilloma of the prepuce. All the non-albino horses were observed to have papilloma only. The papillomas were small projections, generally less than 5mm in diameter observed around the eyelids and external genitalia. The prepucial and penile mass was multilobulated, with a cauliflower appearance and bleeds easily on manipulation. Histologically, the papillomas were deeply subdivided into epithelial lobules with the outer and inner aspects of the epithelium running approximately parallel to each other. Irregular sub-dermal masses or cords of proliferating and atypical epidermal cells separated by connective tissue, and epithelial ‘pearls\' of mature keratin were also observed in the squamous cell carcinoma.

Keywords: Squamous cell carcinoma, Papilloma, Albino horses.

Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 28 (1) 2007 pp. 27-33