FIRST REPORT OF SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA IN AN OVINE HOOF

Abstract

This paper describes, for the first time, the clinical and histopathological characteristics of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the hoof of a two-year-old female native Iranian sheep. Physical examination of this uncommon case revealed a large, irregularly-shaped, dark-brown-to-blackish, cauliflower-like ulcerated mass in the coronary band of the hoof which had caused lameness and bleeding. On cut-section, a dark red ulcerated stiff mass was observed. In the histopathological investigation, the moderately-differentiated SCC revealed keratin pearls accumulated moderately in cytoplasm, as well as acellular ones, and a relatively dense fibrous stroma. The large tumor cells contained a small amount of eosinophilic cytoplasm and vesicular nuclei, and in some cases, they were slightly hyperchromatic. As well, in some areas, mitotic figures as well as diverse inflammatory cells infiltration were observed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper reporting an incidence of SCC in an ovine hoof.