Virbac Identify A Need For More Tumour Diagnostics At London Vet Show
2 years ago 
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The busy Virbac ‘STELFONTA®’ stand at the 2021 London Vet Show provided the perfect platform for a survey of delegates on the diagnosis of mast cell tumours (MCTs). Results showed that the average number of MCTs delegates said they had personally diagnosed in the last year to be just 7.03. This is in contrast to research that shows on average vets will diagnose at least one case per month, or 12 a year1, highlighting the need for increased awareness of the most common form of canine cutaneous neoplasia.
MCTs are the most common form of skin cancer in dogs, accounting for up to 21% of skin cancer cases2. Primarily a disease of older dogs, the incidence of MCTs is highest in dogs aged 6 to 10 years old3,4 with predisposition in some of the UK’s most popular breeds such as Labradors, French Bulldogs, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Golden Retrievers.
To help vets and pet owners identify skin masses, Virbac have created a range of resources which can be found on the Virbac website at: vet-uk.virbac.com/stelfonta/education
Vets are also able to learn more about the latest medical treatment for canine mast cell tumours, STELFONTA®. Until now surgical removal of the tumour has been the standard of care, but surgery can pose challenges for the veterinary surgeon, such as the accessibility of the tumour in order to obtain sufficient margins and anaesthetic risks, particularly in senior and brachycephalic pets. 77% of delegates at London Vet Show said they were either likely or very likely to use STELFONTA® on their next mast cell tumour case.
The lucky winner of the stand competition was Jane Hill (pictured) of Bay Vets who won £1,000 of shopping vouchers.
For more information on STELFONTA®, or any of the other products in the Virbac portfolio, please speak to your Virbac Territory Manager.
ENDS
References
- KG Marketsense UK& DE Market Assessment & EBC-46 Product Concept Test 2016
- Garrett, L.D. (2014) Canine mast cell tumors: diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports, Vol 5. https://doi.org/10.2147/VMRR.S41005
- Shoop SJ, Marlow S, Church DB, et al. Prevalence and risk factors for mast cell tumours in dogs in England. Canine Genet Epidemiol. 2015; 2:1.
- Smiech A, et al. Occurrence and distribution of canine cutaneous mast cell tumour characteristics among predisposed breeds. J Vet Res 2019; 63:141–148.
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