Cytological and Histopathological Evaluation of Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour (CTVT)

Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour (CTVT) is a unique clonally transmissible round cell neoplasm of dogs, predominantly affecting the external genitalia. Accurate diagnosis is essential for confirmation and clinical decision-making. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the cytological and histopathological characteristics of CTVT using fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), impression smear, and histopathological examination. Dogs clinically suspected for CTVT were subjected to cytological and histological evaluation prior to therapeutic intervention. FNAC and impression smear revealed characteristic round to polyhedral neoplastic cells with vacuolated cytoplasm, high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio, hyperchromatic nuclei and prominent nucleoli. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis by demonstrating sheets and cords of tumour cells supported by delicate connective tissue stroma with high mitotic activity. The study highlights the diagnostic significance of FNAC and impression smear as rapid preliminary tools, while histopathology remains the gold standard for definitive diagnosis of CTVT.