Canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) is a contagious cancer affecting dogs around the world, with high incidences in stray populations and areas with high population density.

The cancer is transmitted through the transfer of living cancer cells during sexual contact. Recent research in Japan has found that gender plays a significant role in the susceptibility to CTVT in the Musuda breed.

Background

CTVT is a rare disease in which the cancer cells themselves are contagious and transmitted from dog to dog via sexual contact. The cancer cells live in the body of the infected dog and can be passed on to other dogs during sexual activity.

The vast majority of affected dogs will recover from CTVT within a few months, however, some animals may develop more serious forms of the disease, depending on their immune system response.

The Study

Researchers in Japan recently studied the prevalence of CTVT in Musuda dogs. They found that gender was a significant factor in susceptibility to the disease. Female Musuda dogs were more likely to develop CTVT than male Musuda dogs.

This finding is contrary to previous studies that have suggested males are more susceptible to the disease.

The Results

The researchers found that the vulnerability of female Musuda dogs to CTVT was linked to their reproductive systems.

The study found that females who had not been spayed, or had only been partially spayed, were more at risk of developing CTVT than those who had been spayed or fully spayed. This suggests that reproductive hormones play a role in the development of the disease in female Musuda dogs.

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Furthermore, the study found that there was a relationship between the age at which the female dog was spayed and their susceptibility to CTVT.

Those females that had been spayed at an early age, before their first heat cycle, were at lower risk of developing the disease than those who were spayed after their first heat cycle. This could be due to the effect of hormonal changes during the first heat cycle, which could make the dog more vulnerable to the disease.

The Role of Testosterone

In male Musuda dogs, the study found that testosterone levels had an impact on the development of CTVT.

The research revealed that male dogs with low testosterone levels were at higher risk of developing the disease than those with high testosterone levels. This suggests that testosterone levels have a protective effect against CTVT in male Musuda dogs.

Other Risk Factors

Other risk factors for CTVT include being a stray dog, living in an area with a high population density of dogs, and having other health conditions that weaken the immune system.

Researchers suggest that it is important to consider these factors when trying to control the spread of CTVT.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study found that gender was a significant factor in the susceptibility of Musuda dogs to CTVT. Female dogs that had not been spayed were at higher risk of developing the disease than males or spayed females.

Testosterone levels also had an impact on male dogs’ susceptibility to CTVT. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and preventative measures in areas where the disease is prevalent.