Abstract :
Objectives of this study were to record, classify and describe cutaneous and ocular neoplasms
of sheep and goats as well as their diagnosis after surgical excision, and to determine
the link of tumor occurrence with breed, sex, age, fleece or coat color, and tumor location.
Clinical cases (n = 104) of tumors (sheep = 89, goats = 15) were presented for surgical treatment.
Sheep and goats with tumors were subjected to detailed study including breed, age,
sex, and fleece or coat color of the animal, case history, gross and microscopic appearance
of the tumor, surgical treatment, and postoperative care. Five different types of tumors
were diagnosed in sheep and goats namely; squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), malignant
melanoma, lipoma, fibroma, and fibrosarcoma. Mixed tumors in the form of SCC with
melanoma were also recorded. Tumors were frequent in females and were observed in
two sheep breeds (Awassi and Najdi) and in Ardi goats. Detailed gross and microscopic
descriptions of neoplasms were cited. Predilection sites of neoplasia in sheep were on the
ear(s), eye and eyelids, shoulder region, on the back, flank region, lateral to the umbilicus,
lateral to the udder, on the udder, hind limbs, and on the inner aspect of the tail. Tumors in
goats were present on the eye and eyelids, base of the horn, carpus, udder, anus, perineum,
vulva, and both anus and vulva. In conclusion, SCC and malignant melanoma were prevalent
neoplasms in sheep and goats, respectively. Ocular SCC was frequent in Najdi sheep that
have white colored head; however, SCC was frequent in the flank and tail of Awassi sheep
that have white colored trunk. Ovine and caprine neoplasms were prevalent in females and
at ages of 4–6 years and 3–6 years, respectively.
