Soft tissue sarcomas in the African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris): microscopic and immunohistologic study of three cases

Multiple Distinct Neoplasms in a North African Hedgehog (Atelerix algirus)

This paper describes the clinical and pathological features of 4 different tumors, located in the integumentary, digestive, and endocrine systems, presenting in a North African hedgehog (Atelerix algirus). A 3.5-year-old female hedgehog was presented with a cutaneous mass on the right flank. The lesion consisted of a well-differentiated dermal mast cell tumor with no recurrence and metastasis after complete surgical excision. Six months later, the hedgehog developed a mass in the left lower jaw, lethargy, anorexia, and progressive weight loss. Clinical and radiographic evaluations revealed swelling, ulceration, displacement, and destruction of subjacent bone tissue, and the animal died 1 month after the onset of clinical signs. At necropsy, 2 neoplasms in the oral cavity (squamous cell carcinoma and histiocytic sarcoma) and multiple myelolipomas in the adrenal glands were detected. Metastasis of the oral squamous cell carcinoma was observed in the lungs. Although neoplasms are frequent in this species, and more than 1 type of tumor in a single individual has been occasionally reported, this is the first description of both myelolipoma and multiple concurrent neoplasms involving various organs and different cellular origins in a hedgehog.

Surgical and medical management of an oral spindle cell sarcoma in an African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

A 2.5-year-old male African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) presented with an intraoral, soft tissue mass overlying the left mandible. A computed tomography scan and subsequent fine needle aspirate suggested a malignant spindle cell tumour. The tumour was excised with a partial hemimandibulectomy. Histopathology demonstrated an incompletely excised spindle cell sarcoma. The hedgehog underwent adjuvant therapy consisting of intravenous carboplatin and oral lomustine, followed by palliative radiation therapy once tumour recurrence was noted on follow-up surveillance. Radiation therapy was initially successful in decreasing tumour size, but the hedgehog re-presented a month later acutely non-ambulatory paraparetic with a distal right antebrachial mass. Diagnostics including radiographs and fine needle aspirate were consistent with metastatic neoplasia and humane euthanasia was elected.

Geriatric Hedgehogs

African hedgehogs are susceptible to aging changes like those of other small exotic mammals. Common conditions of the geriatric hedgehog include heart disease, chronic renal disease, and dental/periodontal disease. Hedgehogs are unique in that they have an unusually short life span and a propensity for neoplasia. These 2 factors make it especially common for exotic animal practitioners to encounter geriatric hedgehogs affected by one of the many conditions outlined in this article.

A retrospective study of disease incidence in African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris)

The African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) is becoming a popular pet in Japan. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of various diseases in African pygmy hedgehogs. We histologically investigated 105 samples from 100 privately-owned pet African pygmy hedgehogs that were submitted to two laboratories (North Lab and Patho Labo) between 2012 and 2017. Tissues submitted for this study were taken from female reproductive organs (33 cases; 31.43%), skin (20 cases; 19.05%), and the oral mucosa (19 cases; 18.1%). The most common histological diagnoses included endometrial stromal nodules identified as benign uterine neoplasia (14 cases; 13.33%); endometrial polyps identified as non-neoplastic polyps (7 cases; 6.67%), gingival hyperplasia and chronic suppurative inflammation in the oral mucosa (11 cases; 10.48%), fibrosarcomas in the skin (8 cases; 7.62%), and mammary tumors (8 cases; 7.62%). In this study, lymphoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma were less common than in the previous reports. The present study revealed the disease prevalence in captive African pygmy hedghogs that were histopathologically examined.

Spontaneous multicentric soft tissue sarcoma in a captive African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris): case report and literature review

This report describes the clinical, macroscopic, histopathological and immunohistochemical features of a spontaneous multicentric extraskeletal sarcoma in an adult male African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris). It also provides a succinct up-to-date review on neoplasia in this species. On autopsy examination, main gross findings included a moderately demarcated cranial mass and a multilobulated, caudal intra-abdominal mass. The cranial mass had perforated the underlying temporal and occipital bones and had extended into the cranial vault and was compressing the surface of the cerebellum and cerebrum. Histologic, histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses supported a diagnosis of multicentric poorly differentiated spindle cell sarcoma with fibrosarcomatous, storiform and myxoid foci. The high incidence of neoplasia and cross similarities renders the African hedgehog a suitable species for comparative pathology studies.

Myxoma of the penis in an African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

A penile tumor (4 × 2.5 × 1 cm) was surgically removed from an African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) aged 3 years and 5 months. The tumor was continuous with the dorsal fascia of the penile head. Histopathologically, tumor cells were pleomorphic (oval-, short spindle- and star-shaped cells) with low cell density. Abundant edematous stroma was weakly positive for Alcian blue staining and positive for colloidal iron reaction. Tumor cells displayed no cellular atypia or karyokinesis. Tumor cell cytoplasm was positive for vimentin antibody, while cytoplasm and nuclei were positive for S-100 protein antibody. Tumor cell ultrastructure matched that of fibroblasts, and the rough endoplasmic reticulum was enlarged. The tumor was diagnosed as myxoma. This represents the first report of myxoma in a hedgehog.

Emergency and critical care procedures in sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps), African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris), and prairie dogs (Cynomys spp)

Less common exotic pet mammals are gaining in popularity. The Australian Sugar Glider, African Hedgehog, and prairie dog are seen regularly in exotic animal practices. They are subject to the same types of medical emergencies as more traditional pets, with the unfortunate addition of all too common underlying nutritional and husbandry-related disorders. Emergency stabilization and critical care are important first steps before collection of diagnostic test samples and administration of definitive medical care.

Squamous cell carcinoma and consequent otitis in a Long-eared Hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus)--case report

The authors describe a squamous cell carcinoma arising from the ear canal of a Long-eared Hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus). No metastasis could be identified elsewhere in the animal. Due to the irritation caused by the tumorous proliferation the animal constantly scratched the affected area, which led to secondary bacterial infection of the middle ear accompanied by the stagnation of an increased volume of local secretions. Using routine haematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining techniques, the tumour was identified as a squamous cell carcinoma. This work constitutes the first description of such a tumour in a Long-eared Hedgehog.

Spontaneous neoplasia in four captive greater hedgehog tenrecs (Setifer setosus)

Little information is available about diseases and pathology of species within the family Tenrecidae, including the greater hedgehog tenrec (Setifer setosus), a Madagascan insectivore. This report summarizes necropsy and histopathologic findings of neoplasia in four captive greater hedgehog tenrecs. Although only four animals are included in this report, neoplasia seems to be a common and significant source of morbidity and mortality in greater hedgehog tenrecs. Types of neoplasia identified include a thyroid follicular-solid carcinoma, two urinary bladder transitional cell carcinomas, uterine endometrial polyps, and multicentric B-cell lymphoma. Due to small sample size, no etiology could be determined, but genetics, viral infection, pesticide treatment, nutrition, or other environmental factors might contribute to the development of neoplasia in this species. This is the first report of neoplasia in greater hedgehog tenrecs.

Spontaneous subcutaneous myxosarcoma in a captive European hedgehog (Erinsceus europaeus)

A surgically excised biopsy representing a subcutaneous mass on the left side of the neck from a 3-year-old female European hedgehog (Erinsceus europaeus) was presented. Spontaneous myxosarcoma was diagnosed based on histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural characteristics. The neoplasm grossly consisted of a firm, pale, multilobulated mass with a characteristic clear gelatinous fluid. Histologically, the neoplasm was nonencapsulated and composed of pleomorphic stellate or spindle-shaped vimentin and periodic acid-Schiff-positive cells arranged in loose sheets and occasionally whorls. The neoplastic cells were suspended in Alcian blue-positive stroma and contained infrequent mitotic figures. Evidence of a viral etiology was not detected using electron microscopy and polymerase chain reaction. This is the first case report of a myxosarcoma in a captive European hedgehog.

Morphological and Immunohistochemical Characterization of Spontaneous Mammary Tumours in European Hedgehogs ( Erinaceus europaeus )

Mammary tumour samples (11 surgical and five post-mortem) from 16 adult European hedgehogs submitted between 1980 and 2004 were examined. Histologically, the tumours were classified as simple tubulo-papillary carcinomas with local invasive growth. In six cases, tumour cell emboli were present in blood vessels or lymphatic vessels, or both. However, metastasis to regional lymph nodes was found only in one hedgehog. Malignant neoplastic epithelial cells were immunolabelled by antibodies specific for various cytokeratins (CKs), including CK1-8, 10, 13-16, 19 and 20. CK expression did not differ from that in normal mammary gland tissue. CK20 was expressed in the mammary tissue of hedgehogs, in contrast to that of dogs and cats; CK7 immunolabelling, however, which commonly occurs in mammary epithelial cells, was negative. CK20 expression, together with the lack of CK7 as determined by a protein-specific antibody, represented an important difference from the CK profile shown by mammary epithelial cells of other mammalian species, including the dog and cat.

Cytologic diagnosis of diseases of hedgehogs

This article focuses on neoplastic diseases because they may be the most frequent disease processes in captive hedgehogs according to the literature and authors' case files and the most common cases submitted for cytologic diagnosis in these species, particularly the African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris).

Forelimb amputation for treatment of a peripheral nerve sheath tumor in an African pygmy hedgehog

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 6-year-old female African pygmy hedgehog was evaluated because of a mass of unknown duration on the lateral aspect of the right shoulder region.

CLINICAL FINDINGS

A fine-needle aspirate of the mass was collected for cytologic examination; findings were consistent with a spindle cell tumor. A CBC, plasma biochemical analyses, and whole-body radiography revealed no other abnormalities.

TREATMENT AND OUTCOME

An initial surgery performed in an attempt to remove the mass with preservation of the limb failed in that tumor-free surgical margins were not obtained. Histologically, the mass was identified as a peripheral nerve sheath tumor (neurofibrosarcoma). A second surgery to amputate the forelimb was successful. After 1 year, there had been no further development of peripheral nerve sheath tumor at this or other sites.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

In African pygmy hedgehogs, potential differential diagnoses for a subcutaneous mass should include peripheral nerve sheath tumor. If necessary, forelimb amputation can be performed successfully in this species with procedures modified from those used in dogs. Information gathered during the treatment and recovery of the hedgehog of this report may assist practicing veterinarians in counseling owners of hedgehogs that are undergoing forelimb amputation with regard to the course of recovery that may be expected following this procedure.

Feline periocular peripheral nerve sheath tumor: a case series

The objective of this retrospective study was to describe signalment, clinical presentation, surgical treatment, outcome, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical characteristics of periocular peripheral nerve sheath tumor in a series of cats. Six cats with a histologic diagnosis of peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the eyelid and/or conjunctiva were identified from 3997 feline ocular histopathologic submissions to the Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory of Wisconsin between 1976 and 2002. Medical records were reviewed and data were collected for signalment, eye affected, location, duration, and history of tumor recurrence. Ancillary diagnostic tests, surgical approach, and histopathology were also described. Special stains and immunohistochemistry panels were performed on the tissue. Follow-up information was obtained through telecommunications with the owner and local veterinarian. The mean age of the cats was 8 years (range: 5-15 years). There was an equal distribution of males and females. Breeds represented were two Domestic Long-haired (DLH) cats, three Domestic Short-haired (DSH) cats, and one Manx. The right eye was affected in four cats and the left eye in two cats. The superior eyelid was affected in four cats, the superior conjunctiva in two cats, and the inferior eyelid in one cat. All of the cats that underwent surgical excision, cryoablation, or laser ablation had an average of three recurrences of the tumor. Four of six cats undergoing wide excision with enucleation, exenteration or rhomboid flap had no recurrence of the tumor. Histomorphologically, all of the tumors were of spindle cell type with five of six tumors showing histologic features of Antoni type B tissue. All six tumors stained positive for vimentin. Five of six tumors stained positive for S-100 and laminin. All six tumors were negative for smooth muscle actin. Definitive histologic diagnoses of spindle cell tumors can be difficult. The presence of Antoni A and B histologic patterns as well as immunohistochemical reactivity for vimentin, S-100, and laminin suggest a diagnosis of peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Our findings suggest that local aggressive recurrence is common and that wide surgical excision combined with enucleation or exenteration may be indicated.

Principles of wound management of small mammals: hedgehogs, prairie dogs, and sugar gliders

The management of wounds is a common scenario for the exotic animal practitioner. When presented with such cases, the practitioner must first adhere to the firmly established principles of wound healing, and then modify available treatment modalities to fit the needs of the species at hand. Practicing wound management on exotic patients can be challenging due to their small size, unusual anatomy, difficult behaviors, and tendency for developing secondary stress-related health problems. A review of the stages of wound healing as well as traditional wound management techniques is provided here. This review is followed by a summary of typical wounds encountered in hedgehogs, prairie dogs, and sugar gliders, as well anatomic, physiologic, and behavioral characteristics that should be taken into consideration when managing wounds on such species.