We studied the clinical characteristics of 11 dogs with gastrointestinal stromal tumors and investigated the c-kit gene mutations in the resected tumor tissues. The affected dogs were aged 6 to 14 years, and there were six males and five females. The tumors originated in the cecum in seven cases (63.6%), the small intestine in two cases (18%), and the duodenum and the colon in one case each (both 9%). The type of cancerous growth was classified as extra-luminal in seven cases (63.6%), intra-mural in one case (9%), intra-luminal in two cases (18%), and indistinct in one case (9%). C-kit gene mutations were found in exon 11 in six cases (54.5%), while there were none in exons 8, 9 and 13. C-kit gene mutations occurred in 54.5% of cases and in 80% of the cases involving the cecum and extra-luminal growth; hence, c-kit gene mutation might be related to the cause of canine gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

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We describe two cases of feline rectal adenocarcinoma with a chief complaint of constipation. Although we had treated both cases medically with laxatives, the constipation worsened and the patients’ QOL deteriorated. Therefore, surgical resection of the rectal adenocarcinoma was performed using a rectal pull-through technique. After surgical treatment, the QOL of both cats improved; however, one cat died on day 245 (postoperative week 10) because of peritoneal dissemination, and the other cat died on day 345 (postoperative week 41) because of systemic metastatic disease. Improvement of QOL and prolonged survival time were achieved by rectal pull-through surgery.

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A 12-year-old neutered male miniature dachshund was presented with intermittent ataxia. Solitary osseous plasmacytoma (SOP) in the 12th thoracic vertebra (T12) was diagnosed based on the results of diagnostic imaging and histopathology. The combination use of zoledronic acid, melphalan, and prednisolone was extremely effective and long term survival could be achieved, however, mandibular osteonecrosis developed as a suspected adverse effect of zoledronic acid 2 years later. This is the first clinical report of an adverse effect of zoledronic acid in a dog with SOP.

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