In horse—sarcoma, papilloma, lipoma, adenosarcoma, epithelioma, in
cattle—scirrhus, in dog—sarcoma, lipoma, epithelioma. Symptoms:
chronic gastritis, periodic indigestions, colics, vertigo, salivation,
impacted gullet, blackened fæces, eructations, vomiting, rumbling,
stiffness, emaciation. Treatment: laparotomy in dog.
The peptic stomach in the different animals is subject to a great
variety of tumors. In many of the recorded cases, however, the true
nature of the tumor has been left uncertain.
=Sarcoma.= In the =horse= this is the common tumor of the pylorus, and
less frequently it is found on the cardia and body of the stomach,
especially on the greater curvature. These are usually firm and
resistant, though sometimes soft and friable; they tend to swell out in
lobules, and show areas of ulceration, or even suppurating excavations
opening through the mucosa. In some instances, however, they start under
the serous coat, and the ulcerous surface may open into the peritoneum.
At other times they are but a local manifestation of a general
affection.
In the =dog= multiple sarcomata have been found on the stomach varying
in size and easily mistaken for recent tubercles. In these cases the
small round cells were especially numerous in the centre of the tumor
rendering it soft and predisposing to degeneration.
=Papilloma.= In the horse these are found as branching or filamentous
dependent projections from the mucosa of the left sac having evidently
started from the sores formed by the attachment of the œstrus larvæ.
They are also found around the pylorus and of such size as to seriously
obstruct that orifice (Stadler).
=Lipoma.= Fatty tumors have been seen on the stomach of the =dog= and
=horse= in the submucosa.
=Adenosarcoma.= This formation in the =horse= leads to a thickening of
large patches of the mucosa. It also grows out in mushroom like masses,
or is irregularly lobulated.
=Epithelioma.= In the =horse= epithelioma has been found at the pylorus
and on the great curvature of the stomach. It usually grows out as a
rounded mass varying in size from an egg to an infant’s head, and may be
even a diffuse thickening of the mucosa. Microscopically the individual
lobules, are composed of cylindroid cells surrounding a central mass of
epidermoid cells. The stomach may be greatly contracted, and the surface
of the neoplasm, ulcerated or even excavated. In the =dog= similar
formations are found.
=Carcinoma.= In =cattle= _Scirrhus_ of the abomasum is described. Small
tumors rise to a height of ½ to 3 inches, and are closely packed
together so as to assume polygonal forms. The surface is smooth, or
perforated by orifices leading into ulcerous or suppurating cavities. On
section the mass shows a fibrous or a lardaceous consistency. They are
most common in the pyloric region, and may partially obstruct this
orifice.
_Symptoms._ These are necessarily obscure. In the =horse= periodic
gastric indigestions and colics may be the sole indications, which are
certainly not pathognomonic. In other cases, have been noticed: vertigo,
salivation, impacted gullet, and blackish, sanguinolent fæces due to
ulceration and hemorrhage from the tumors.
In =cattle= have been observed variable and capricious appetite,
imperfect rumination, tympany, eructations, vomiting, rumbling of the
bowels, constipation, slow painful walk, progressive emaciation and
debility. When blood is discharged by emesis or defecation the suspicion
of gastric tumor may be strengthened.
In the =dog= there are the usual signs of chronic gastritis, thirst,
anorexia, stiffness, a disposition to lie, sunken eye, dyspnœa,
vomiting, often of blood. The discharge of blood by mouth and anus, the
distended abdomen, the tumor usually easily detected by manipulation,
and the progressive loss of condition are strongly suggestive.
_Treatment_ of these cases is hopeless. In the dog alone for a
circumscribed tumor, laparotomy, the removal of the tumor and closure of
the wound may be tried.