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A dose-intensified/dose-dense chemotherapy protocol for canine lymphoma was designed and implemented at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. In this study, we describe the clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, efficacy and toxicity in 130 dogs treated with this protocol. The majority of the dogs had advanced stage disease (63.1% stage V) and sub-stage b (58.5%). The median time to progression (TTP) and lymphoma-specific survival were 219 and 323 days, respectively. These results are similar to previous less dose-intense protocols. Sub-stage was a significant negative prognostic factor for survival. The incidence of toxicity was high; 53.9 and 45% of the dogs needed dose reductions and treatment delays, respectively. Dogs that required dose reductions and treatment delays had significantly longer TTP and lymphoma-specific survival times. These results suggest that dose density is important, but likely relative, and needs to be adjusted according to the individual patient's toxicity for optimal outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare Rottweilers diagnosed with osteosarcoma (OSA) with other breeds to determine whether Rottweilers experienced a more aggressive form of the disease. Two hundred and fifty-eight dogs were evaluated (102 clinical and 156 necropsy cases). In the necropsy population, Rottweilers had a younger mean age at death (7.3 versus 9 years, P= 0.006). There were no significant differences between Rottweilers and other breeds in age at diagnosis, median disease-free interval or survival time. However, Rottweilers were more likely to have metastasis to the brain (7 versus 0%, P= 0.03). These results suggest that OSA in Rottweilers may have a different biological behaviour, but this study did not confirm that these differences were associated with a worse outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]