Mammary gland tumours are among the most frequently diagnosed neoplasms in intact female dogs, with a higher incidence in middle-aged to geriatric animals. This case report describes the successful surgical management of a mammary gland tumour in an 8-year-old Dachshund bitch under inhalational anaesthesia. The animal was presented with a solitary mammary mass without systemic illness. Pre-operative haematological and biochemical parameters were within normal physiological limits. Histopathological examination of a pre-surgical biopsy confirmed the mass as squamous cell carcinoma, following which surgical excision was planned.
Pre-anaesthetic medication consisted of butorphanol (1 mg/kg) and atropine (0.05 mg/kg) administered intramuscularly. Anaesthetic induction was achieved using propofol (5 mg/kg intravenously), followed by endotracheal intubation and maintenance with isoflurane at 2% concentration in oxygen. Complete surgical excision of the tumour was performed, and the surgical wound was closed using a simple interlocking suture pattern. Intra-operative monitoring revealed stable physiological parameters throughout the procedure.
Post-operative recovery was smooth and uneventful, with no immediate or delayed complications observed. The dog showed satisfactory wound healing and return to normal activity during the follow-up period. This case demonstrates the effectiveness and safety of isoflurane-based inhalational anaesthesia combined with standard surgical techniques for the management of mammary gland squamous cell carcinoma in geriatric canine patients. Early histopathological diagnosis, careful anaesthetic planning, and meticulous surgical intervention play a crucial role in achieving favourable outcomes in canine mammary neoplasia.
International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry
