Disseminated histoplasmosis in an African pygmy hedgehog

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 2-year-old captive-bred sexually intact female African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was evaluated because of vague signs of illness including inappetence, weakness, lethargy, and weight loss over a 20-day period. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Abnormalities detected via initial clinicopathologic analyses included anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, hypoproteinemia, and hypoglycemia. Results of a fecal flotation test were negative. Three weeks after the initial evaluation, splenomegaly was detected via palpation and ultrasonography. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The hedgehog was treated with broad-spectrum antibacterial agents, resulting in an initially favorable response. Fenbendazole was also administered against possible occult parasitic infestation. After 3 weeks of illness, the hedgehog's condition had worsened and supportive care and administration of additional antibacterial agents were instituted. The hedgehog died, and pathologic examinations revealed severe splenomegaly; granulomatous infiltrates were evident in multiple organs, and Histoplasma capsulatum yeasts were detected intralesionally. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Histoplasmosis can develop in a wide range of mammalian species. African pygmy hedgehogs are becoming increasingly popular as exotic pets, and vague signs of illness and splenomegaly are often attributed to hemolymphatic malignancies, which are somewhat common in this species. Practitioners should be aware that similar clinical signs may be associated with histoplasmosis in these animals. Although the hedgehog of this report was confined indoors, it originated from an area where histoplasmosis was endemic; this indicates that the disease should be included as a differential diagnosis for hedgehogs that develop vague signs of illness and are known to originate from such geographic regions.     

Surgical removal of a granulosa cell tumor from a heifer

A twelve month old, noncycling Holstein-Friesian heifer, was examined because of abnormal udder development. Rectal palpation revealed a tense right uterine horn. A solid mass in the right abdomen was detected by ballottement. A granulosa cell tumor of the right ovary was removed and nine months later the animal conceived.     

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.     

Acinic cell carcinoma in an African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

Abstract: A male African pygmy hedgehog ( Atelerix albiventris ), estimated to be 3 years old, presented with exophthalmos and fixed abduction of the right eye. Radiographic examination revealed a retrobulbar tumor in the right orbital cavity. The mass was surgically resected but recurred 3 months later and the hedgehog died. There was no gross or microscopic evidence of salivary or lacrimal gland involvement of the tumor at surgery or at necropsy. The histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural findings were those of acinic cell carcinoma, the origin of which was unknown. This is the first known case of acinic cell carcinoma in an African hedgehog.     

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in an African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

A cutaneous mass was surgically excised in a 4-year-old African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris). A squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed based on histopathological examination and local recurrence following excision is strongly suspected. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first well-documented report of a cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in this species.     

Surgical and medical management of a uterine spindle cell tumor in an African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

A 5-yr-old female African hedgehog (Ateleris albiventris) presented with hematuria. Vulvar culture results revealed a 4+ growth of Enterococcus sp. and gamma-Streptococcus sp. susceptible to trimethoprim sulfa and enrofloxacin. Ultrasound evaluation of the abdomen revealed an unidentifiable tubular structure in the region of the reproductive tract. An exploratory laparotomy and ovariohysterectomy were performed. Pathologic studies of the uterus showed a uterine spindle cell tumor, uterine endometrial polyp, uterine adenomyosis, and a possible acute infarct resulting in uterine wall necrosis. Hematuria did not reoccur, and the hedgehog lived for another 19 mo until she died from an oral squamous cell carcinoma. To date, this is the first report of a uterine spindle cell tumor in an African hedgehog.     

Thyroid c-cell carcinoma in an African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris).

A 3-yr-old African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was submitted with dysphagia, weight loss, and tetraparesis. A palpable mass was found on the ventral neck. Histologic examination revealed replacement of the thyroid gland by a highly cellular, expansile, and infiltrative mass composed of lobules of polygonal cells separated by fine fibrovascular septa. Examination of ultrathin sections revealed tumor cells with few to many dense-core neuroendocrine granules, approximately 100-200 nm in diameter, and stromal amyloid. Immunohistochemical stains were positive for neuron-specific enolase. Only rare cells had positive immunohistochemical staining for calcitonin. Findings are consistent with a neuroendocrine tumor of C-cell origin. This is the first report of a C-cell carcinoma in a hedgehog.     

Isolation of Staphylococcus simulans from dermatitis in a captive African pygmy hedgehog

Staphylococcus simulans, a coagulase-negative staphylococcal species, can cause several diseases in humans and animals. This report describes a case of dermatosis characterized by broad, well-circumscribed hyperkeratosis and alopecia on the back of a household pygmy hedgehog (Erinaceous albiventris). Quills and exudates were studied by microscopy. The microscopic examination of the exudates collected from the lesion revealed several leukocytes and numerous gram-positive cocci. An aerobic bacterial culture revealed overgrowth of the same gram-positive bacteria. The bacterium was identified as S. simulans by polymerase chain reaction amplification and direct sequencing targeted to the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. This report is the first to show that S. simulans could be related to the dermatitis of hedgehogs.     

Acute pancreatitis following granulosa cell tumor removal in a mare

Acute pancreatitis is a rare disease in horses and is often associated with gastrointestinal disorders. Accurate diagnosis is challenging due to the presence of nonspecific clinical signs. This case represents the first documentation of acute pancreatitis in a horse following surgery of the reproductive tract.     

Anaplastic astrocytoma in the spinal cord of an African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

A 2-year-old, female hedgehog presented with an 8-month history of progressive, ascending paresis/paralysis and was tentatively diagnosed with wobbly hedgehog syndrome. She died awaiting further diagnostic tests, and the owners consented to postmortem examination. Grossly, the bladder was large and flaccid and the cervical and lumbar spinal cord were regionally enlarged, light grey, and friable with multifocal hemorrhages. The thoracic spinal cord was grossly normal. Microscopically all regions of the spinal cord had similar changes, although the cervical and lumbar sections were most severely affected. These regions were completely effaced by a moderately cellular infiltration of highly pleomorphic polygonal to spindle shaped cells, mineralization, and necrosis, which were most consistent with anaplastic astrocytoma. The thoracic spinal cord white matter was similarly infiltrated by the neoplastic cells, with perivascular extension into the otherwise normal grey matter. A diagnosis of anaplastic astrocytoma was confirmed using immunohistochemical stains that were positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein and S100.     

Forelimb amputation for the treatment of distal radius osteosarcoma in an African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

Neoplasia is a common finding in African pygmy hedgehogs. Both skeletal and extraskeletal osteosarcomas have been previously reported in this species, but the only reported case of appendicular osteosarcoma was diagnosed postmortem. A 3-year-old intact female African pygmy hedgehog presented with a 10-day history of left foreleg swelling and lameness. Radiographs performed by the referring veterinarian confirmed the presence of a lytic lesion affecting the distal radius. A whole-body computed tomography scan was performed and confirmed a marked osteolytic lesion affecting the distal radius, which was consistent with bone neoplasia, however osteomyelitis could not be excluded. There was no evidence of thoracic or abdominal metastasis. Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of the lesion yielded a nondiagnostic sample. The affected forelimb was amputated and along with the axillary lymph node, was submitted for histological analysis which confirmed a well differentiated osteosarcoma within the distal radius. The patient made a full recovery with no complications and remained disease free at the time of writing, 12 months after presentation. Osteosarcoma is rarely diagnosed antemortem in African pygmy hedgehogs. This case describes the management, diagnostic techniques, and successful treatment of an osteosarcoma affecting the distal radius by forelimb amputation.     

Evaluation of a vessel-sealing device for laparoscopic granulosa cell tumor removal in standing mares

OBJECTIVE: To describe a laparoscopic technique for granulosa cell tumor removal using a vessel sealing device (LigaSuretrade mark) in standing mares. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Eight mares (8-24 years old; weighing, 406-525 kg). METHODS: Before surgery, ovarian size and adjacent body wall thickness was determined by ultrasonography. Mares were sedated and after local anesthesia (inverted L and local infiltration), laparoscopic cannulation was performed without insufflation. The mesovarium was anesthetized and the LigaSure instrument applied to the mesovarium for hemostasis and resection to remove the affected ovary. Mares were hospitalized for 24 hours before discharge. RESULTS: Median ovarian diameter was 10.5 cm (range, 6-14 cm). Median surgery time was 75 minutes (range, 40-180 minutes). Hemostasis was achieved using the LigaSure device in all mares. Median length of the abdominal wall incision made to remove the ovary was 13 cm (range, 5-17 cm); no incisional complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The LigaSure vessel sealing device provided adequate hemostasis for removal of larger neoplastic ovaries in standing mares. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Concerns of ligature placement can be alleviated by use of the LigaSure device and standing laparoscopic technique provides excellent observation of the surgical field ensuring hemostasis.     

Mammary adenocarcinoma and granulosa cell tumour in an aged Toggenberg goat

An adenocarcinoma of the mammary gland was diagnosed in an aged goat with suspected chronic mastitis. On cross-sectioning, the tumour had a lobulated appearance and contained areas of calcification. Histologically, it was multicentric, exhibiting various growth patterns, including “comedo”, papillary and solid. There was no evidence of metastasis to the regional lymph nodes. A well-differentiated granulosa cell tumour of the right ovary was also present.     

Granulosa cell tumor in 8 African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris)

A retrospective study involving eight African pygmy hedgehogs histopathologically diagnosed with granulosa cell tumors was conducted. The age at onset was 2.2–4.5 years, with a median age of 3.6 years. The most common clinical signs were hematuria and abdominal distension, which were observed in >50% cases. Exploratory laparotomy was performed in all cases, and ovariohysterectomy or excision of the abdominal mass was performed. Patients with only hematuria survived for >250 days after surgery, whereas those with initial ascites showed recurrence of ascites or tumor growth and survived for approximately 130 days after surgery. Intraperitoneal injection of carboplatin was performed in three recurrent cases. In one of these three cases, the tumor mass disappeared. Hence, carboplatin can be considered a potential antineoplastic drug for the treatment of granulosa cell tumors.     

Mammary adenocarcinoma and granulosa cell tumour in an aged Toggenberg goat

An adenocarcinoma of the mammary gland was diagnosed in an aged goat with suspected chronic mastitis. On cross-sectioning, the tumour had a lobulated appearance and contained areas of calcification. Histologically, it was multicentric, exhibiting various growth patterns, including comedo, papillary and solid. There was no evidence of metastasis to the regional lymph nodes. A well-differentiated granulosa cell tumour of the right ovary was also present.     

Metastatic granulosa cell tumor in a mare.

A 5-year-old Quarter Horse mare was referred for evaluation of an acute non-weightbearing lameness of the left hind limb in which musculoskeletal abnormalities had not been detected. After admission, the mare had signs of colic. Exploratory laparotomy revealed the left ovary to be large, masses in the left sublumbar space, and diffuse infiltration of the mesentery, omentum, liver, and spleen with variably-sized masses. The mare was euthanatized, and granulosa cell tumor was identified on histologic examination of the left ovary, left sublumbar and cranial thoracic lymph nodes, omentum, mesentery, liver, spleen, and lung.