Hemangiosarcoma in the teat canal of a cow: case report

Abstract

Hemangiosarcoma is a neoplasm originating from the vascular endothelium, which can be located in various organs with a preference for those with higher vascularization, such as the spleen and liver. Granulomas in the lumen of the teat, milk stones, and fibropapillomas are responsible for partial or total stenosis of the teat; however, no cases of teat obstruction due to hemangiosarcoma have been reported. This study aimed to report the occurrence of hemangiosarcoma in the teat canal of a cow. The cow had a history of mastitis with blood and increased volume in the teat canal of the left anterior fourth mammary gland, which partially obstructed milk flow. This was confirmed by clinical examination. Blood count was performed, which revealed leukocytosis due to neutrophilia. The animal underwent telotomy, during which a nodular structure with a reddish color and hard consistency was removed and sent for histopathological evaluation, which revealed hemangiosarcoma. The animal showed good clinical evolution after the surgical procedure and was discharged five days later. The occurrence of hemangiosarcoma in cattle is considered rare, with a greater prevalence in dogs. To date, when diagnosed in cattle, none of these lesions has been found in the teat canal. Therefore, hemangiosarcoma must be included in the differential diagnosis when an increase in volume is observed in the teat canal, as despite its rare incidence in cattle, it can occur sporadically in tissues that do not have high vascularization.