[Incidence of gastric carcinoma in Dutch Tervueren shepherd dogs born between 1991 and 2002].

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of gastric carcinoma in the Dutch Tervueren shepherd dog population in the last 10 years. To this end, a retrospective study was performed involving several Dutch veterinary pathology laboratories, veterinary specialists in internal medicine, and breeders of the Dutch Society for Belgian Shepherd dogs. Heritability was calculated on the basis of these data.

Results: Ninety-two cases were collected. Mean age at the time of diagnosis was 9.5 +/- 1.9 years. Of Tervueren dogs born in the period 1991 to 2002, 1.18% was diagnosed with a gastric carcinoma. This percentage is much higher than that reported for the whole dog population. Heritability (h2) was 0.09 +/- 0.02; male dogs were predisposed to gastric carcinoma (P=0.04).

Conclusion: Dutch Tervueren shepherd dogs have a higher than average incidence of gastric carcinoma and the disease has a heritable component. Male dogs are predisposed.