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Simple Summary: Cytological evaluation of lymph nodes (LN) during staging of canine Mast Cell Tumors (MCTs) is a hot topic. While histology is currently the gold standard of LN evaluation, cytology would have the advantage of in vivo investigation that allows for the planning of a therapeutical approach. However, at present, LN cytological examination and interpretation needs to be standardized. In the present work, the significance of the nodal mast cell number in dogs with and without MCT has been investigated, comparing different counting methods and different sample preparation techniques. Our results suggest that, while counting methods and sample preparation technique do not influence MC count, the nodal MC number can discriminate between metastatic and non-metastatic LNs, but fails to distinguish between metastatic and possibly metastatic LNs. Cytological evaluation of lymph nodes (LN) in canine cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCT) has a key role in MCT staging. However, cytological discrimination between metastatic and reactive LNs is debated and diagnostic criteria inconsistent. The aim of this study was to retrospectively quantify nodal mast cells (MCs) in non-oncological (NOD) and MCT-bearing dogs (MCTBD), using different sample preparation techniques, to evaluate the significance of the MCT number. Cytological specimens from NOD-LNs (10 fine-needle aspirates—FNAs) and MCTBD-LNs (10 FNAs, 10 scrapings, 10 touch imprints) were evaluated. MCTBD-LNs were grouped in: non-metastatic, possibly-metastatic, and metastatic based on current literature criteria. MCs were counted in 4, 8, and 20 high-power-fields, and over 500, 1000, and 2000 total cells. MCs were significantly more numerous in MCTBD-LNs than in NOD-LNs and in "metastatic" samples than in "non-metastatic". There was no significant difference between "metastatic" and "possibly metastatic" samples. Sample preparation techniques did not influence these results. A negative correlation between MCs number and sample cellularity was observed. Results were confirmed regardless of the counting method applied. MCs counting per se cannot distinguish possibly metastatic and metastatic cytological samples. Sample preparation technique and the counting method applied seem to have no influence on cytological quantification of nodal MCs in MCTBDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Mast cell tumor (MCT) is the most common integumentary neoplasm in dogs. The draining lymph node (LN) is the first site of histologically detectable metastasis, even if not clinically altered. The recent literature showed the discrepancy between the regional LN and the truly draining LN (the so-called sentinel lymph node—SLN) in dogs with integumentary MCT. However, the mapping and biopsy of SLN include additional anesthesiologic, diagnostic and surgical procedures, and additional cost. The study aimed to assess the possible association between clinicopathological variables and SLN status. Sixty-six cases of low-grade cutaneous and subcutaneous MCT in dogs admitted to the mapping and biopsy of SLN were included. An MCT dimension smaller than 3 cm seems to correlate less with occult or overt SLN metastasis, although further study should confirm the exclusion of cases with this variable to the mapping and biopsy of the SLN. In contrast, the high association of tumor ≥ 3 cm and subcutaneous MCT with overt SLN metastasis involves a solid suggestion for those procedures in the presence of one of these variables. The recent literature supports the sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in dogs with MCT due to discrepancy with the regional lymph node and the high percentage of occult metastasis. However, the SLN biopsy includes additional anesthesiologic, diagnostic, and surgical procedures, and additional costs. The study aimed to assess the association between clinicopathological variables and SLN status, determining the identification of dogs at lower risk of SLN metastases. Dogs with integumentary MCT were admitted to the lymphoscintigraphic mapping and subsequent biopsy of SLN. The association between clinicopathological variables of MCT and SLN status was statistically tested, both considering occult and overt metastasis together (HN2-HN3) and overt metastasis (HN3) alone. Fifty low-grade cutaneous MCT and 16 subcutaneous MCT were included. A small to moderate association between integumentary MCT ≥ 3 cm and HN2-HN3 SLN was found. A strong association of integumentary MCT dimension and subcutaneous MCT with HN3 SLN occurred. Dimension of low-grade cutaneous and subcutaneous MCT seems to correlate with SLN status, but additional study should confirm this data before excluding small MCT to the SLN biopsy. On the contrary, the study results induce a solid suggestion for mapping and biopsy of the SLN in MCT > 3 cm and subcutaneous MCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: North American pond sliders (Trachemys scripta) are invasive alien species that, following the release of pet specimens in the wild over the decades, have established breeding populations outside their native habitat, with detrimental effects on local biodiversity. Their commerce and breeding have been recently banned in the European Union, and national programs are being introduced by Union Members to eradicate and control their presence. Among other means of population control, the use of long-acting drugs for chemically induced infertility could be a promising tool to prevent the reproduction of these animals. Efficacy of single and double intramuscular deslorelin acetate implants was investigated during a one-season follow-up: plasmatic sexual hormones concentration and morphometric evaluation of ovarian activity by computed tomography were performed about every 30 days to detect the differences between the control group (no implant), single-implant group, and double-implant group. Results show no inhibition of reproductive activity for the ongoing reproductive season, but suggest possible infertility starting from the following season. The use of long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists to suppress fertility has been poorly investigated in reptiles, and the few available studies show inconsistent results. The efficacy of single and double intramuscular 4.7 mg deslorelin acetate implants in captive pond sliders (Trachemys scripta) was investigated, with 20 animals divided into three groups: a single-implant group (6 animals), a double-implant group (6 animals), and a control group (no implant). During one reproductive season (March to October), plasmatic concentration of sexual hormones (estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone) and ovarian morphometric activity via computed tomography were monitored about every 30 days. A significative decrease in the number of phase II ovarian follicles was detected in the double-implant group compared with the control group, but no significant difference was noted in the number of phase III and phase IV follicles, egg production, and plasmatic concentration of sexual hormones. Results show that neither a single nor a double deslorelin acetate implant can successfully inhibit reproduction in female pond sliders during the ongoing season, but the lower number of phase II follicles in the double-implant group can possibly be associated with reduced fertility in the following seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]