Apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma in cats: 30 cases (1994-2015)

Outcomes and complications of anal sacculectomy for non-neoplastic anal sac disease in cats: 8 cases (2006-2019)

OBJECTIVES

To describe the features of non-neoplastic anal sac disease in cats, the surgical procedure, complications, surgical outcome and prognosis compared to well-established data for anal sacculectomy in canine patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of medical records of cats undergoing anal sacculectomy for non-neoplastic disease between 2006 and 2019.

RESULTS

Eight cats were included in the study of which four of eight developed minor and self-limiting complications including defaecatory complications in three cases and superficial corneal ulceration in one case. No cat developed permanent faecal incontinence. No long-term postoperative complication was recorded. Median surgical time was 35 minutes (range, 20 to 42). Median hospitalisation time was 1.5 days (range, 1 to 4). The incidence of short-term minor complications is higher than previously reported in dogs, although this might be in agreement with a reported higher incidence in dogs smaller than 15 kg.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Anal sacculectomy for non-neoplastic anal sac disease is a safe procedure in cats with relatively high rate of short-term but self-limiting, minor, postoperative complications.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal sac in two cats

This report describes two cases of feline anal sac squamous cell carcinoma. Cat 1 was managed with a multimodal approach combining surgical resection, radiation therapy and systemic therapy (toceranib phosphate; Palladia™) until local recurrence was identified at 236 days postsurgery. At that time, the cat received carboplatin. With the tumour being progressive, the cat was euthanased 552 days post initial surgery. Cat 2 was managed palliatively with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (meloxicam) and supportive medications. Unfortunately, with further decline in quality of life following initial diagnosis, the cat was euthanased 28 days later. Squamous cell carcinoma should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis when a cat is presented for investigation of an anal sac mass.