SURGICAL AND MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF A UTERINE SPINDLE CELL TUMOR IN AN AFRICAN HEDGEHOG (ATELERIX ALBIVENTRIS)

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.

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.

Principles and Applications of Medical Oncology in Exotic Animals

Diagnoses of neoplasia in exotic animals have historically been made at death or just before euthanasia. Routine physical examinations are enabling early diagnosis while accessibility and affordability of advanced diagnostics are improving. With increasing expectations for care, treatment options are more frequently explored. Numerous oncologic medications have been adopted from human and small animal medicine and successfully used in exotic animals. Although there is a need for extended research, this article evaluates which medications have been used thus far for treatment protocols in zoologic and exotic animal species.

Common Emergencies in Small Rodents, Hedgehogs, and Sugar Gliders

Small exotic mammal pets such as rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, degus, hedgehogs, and sugar gliders are becoming more popular. Because these animals are prone to a variety of health problems, and require specialized husbandry care to remain healthy, they may present to emergency hospitals in critical condition. This article provides a basic overview of common emergency presentations of these species.

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.

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.