Oligodendrogliom mit neuronaler Differenzierung bei einem 8 Monate alten Afrikanischen Weißbauchigel (Atelerix albiventris)

Case Report: Primary Diffuse Leptomeningeal Oligodendrogliomatosis in a Young Adult Cat

A 2-year-old cat was presented with progressive ataxia. Despite treatment the animal died. Pathomorphological examination revealed a widespread leptomeningeal mass at all levels of the central nervous system accentuated on the cervical spinal cord and the medulla oblongata without presence of a primary intraaxial tumor. The neoplasm was mainly composed of round, uninucleate cells with hyperchromatic nuclei, which were immunopositive for OLIG2, doublecortin, MAP2, synaptophysin, and vimentin, indicating components of both oligodendroglial and neuronal differentiation. Ki-67 immunohistochemistry indicated a high proliferation activity of the neoplasm. Few GFAP positive and Iba-1 positive cells were interpreted as reactive astrocytes and macrophages or microglia, respectively. The tumor was immunonegative for CD3, CD20, PAX5, MUM1, pan-cytokeratin, S100, NSE, p75^NTR, NeuN and periaxin. These findings led to the diagnosis of primary diffuse leptomeningeal oligodendrogliomatosis. This is the first reported case of this entity in a young cat, which should be considered as a differential diagnosis for diffuse subarachnoidal round cell infiltrates.

Neurologic examination of healthy adult African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris)

OBJECTIVE

To describe a modified approach to neurologic examination of African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris).

ANIMALS

12 adult hedgehogs (7 males and 5 females).

PROCEDURES

Aspects of the standard neurologic examination of dogs and cats were evaluated for use with awake hedgehogs, and modified approaches to evaluating their normal behavior and mentation, select cranial nerves and refexes, and gait were then identified. Behavioral analysis and gait analysis were performed by using video recordings of hedgehogs in a novel environment. Performability and repeatability of all feasible aspects of the neurologic examination were assessed.

RESULTS

Most aspects of the standard neurologic examination could be successfully performed, with repeatable results. However, certain aspects, especially those evaluating the pelvic limbs, were more difficult to perform successfully or were less repeatable. All hedgehogs lacked a menace response but displayed a contraction of the frontodorsalis muscle. Facial sensation testing was unreliable.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The entire standard neurologic examination could not be performed in hedgehogs. However, many aspects could be performed, and together they provided baseline data for neurologic examination of this species.

Selected Emerging Diseases of Pet Hedgehogs

Pet hedgehog medicine and surgery is a rapidly evolving field, with some novel conditions and re-emerging diseases being reported in the literature in recent years. Skin disease and neoplasia are commonly found in African pygmy hedgehogs worldwide. Selected new and emerging diseases occurring in these commonly reported groups are discussed in greater detail, focusing on Caparinia tripilis infestation and brain tumors. This article primarily discusses African pygmy hedgehogs, with some reference to European free-living hedgehogs.