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Simple Summary: Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a new diagnostic method allowing for a non-invasive differential diagnosis between benign and malignant mammary tumors. Mammary tumors in dogs are often hormone-dependent, and a surgical approach is currently the most recommended method for the treatment of mammary neoplasia. However, preoperative, pharmacological therapy eliminating hormonal stimulation can sometimes be indicated to reduce the size of the tumor and facilitate subsequent surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the reduction in the benign tumor size observed after treatment with the use of aglepristone on the shear wave elastography results, obtained before and after therapy. We noticed that a fast and significant reduction in tumor size, as a consequence of preoperative pharmacological treatment, did not influence the diagnosis performed using the SWE technique. These results seem to indicate the accuracy and usefulness of this new diagnostic method, and confirm the hypothesis that tumor tissue density is a valuable parameter when determining the benignancy of mammary tumors in dogs. Shear wave elastography (SWE) can be useful to discriminate between malignant and benign mammary tumors. In dogs with elevated progesterone levels compared to the baseline and fast-growing tumors, treatment with the use of aglepristone allows for tumor size reduction, which facilitates surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the preoperative treatment of benign mammary tumors (BMTs), performed with the use of aglepristone, on the density of the tumor tissue measured by SWE. Twelve female dogs with diagnosed BMTs and increased levels of progesterone were treated with aglepristone (Alizine, Virbac, France) at 10 mg/kg s.c. (Subcutaneous injection). twice, with a 24 h interval. The density of the tumor was evaluated by SWE before and after the treatment. The type of tumor was evaluated by fine needle aspiration cytology before treatment, and a histopathological examination was made after surgical removal, performed after the aglepristone treatment. In all the cases, a significant reduction in the mammary tumor's size was observed following treatment, with no influence on the density of the tumor's tissue measured by SWE. Similar studies on malignant mammary tumors are warranted to verify if in these cases, density will also be a constant parameter that is not dependent on the tumor size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Composition of urine changes during various phases of reproductive cycles in dogs. • Acetophenone, benzaldehyde and methylketones increase during estrus in bitches. • Sulfide compounds decrease during estrus, but increase at diestrus in bitches. • Mechanism of luring and repelling during sexual interaction in dogs was discussed. Abstract More than hundred urine samples, vaginal secretions, vulval and anal imprints as well as anal sac secretions, collected during various phases of the ovarian cycle, were evaluated with the HS-SPME/GC–MS technique. The results indicate there were differences among samples of urine collected during particular phases of the ovarian cycle. Unequivocally, the amount of carbonyl aromatic compounds, such as acetophenone (hypnone) and benzaldehyde, increased during the period of proestrus and estrus of the estrous cycle. This was accompanied by increases in methylketones, e.g., 2-octanone, 2-pentanone and 3-hexanone. Simultaneously, amounts of sulfide compounds (1-methylotiopropane; 1-methylotiobutane, 1-methylotipentane and dimethyl trisulfide) decreased during the period of estrus and abruptly increased in diestrus. These observations suggest a possible dual mechanism of interaction between males and females during and subsequent to the mating period, including the existence of both attracting and repelling signals. No significant changes were detected in samples other than urine. Further studies including a proteomic approach as well as behavioral assessments are suggested to identify the complete range of estrual semiochemical signals and to verify the semiochemical activities of identified substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]