Postanesthetic effects of two durations of isoflurane anesthesia in African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris)

Background: African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) are popular companion animals that require chemical immobilization to facilitate examination. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of isoflurane anesthetic duration on recovery time, food intake, and body weight following anesthesia in African pygmy hedgehogs. Methods: Eight healthy, adult hedgehogs (4 male, 4 female) were used in this randomized, blinded, complete cross-over study. Two different isoflurane anesthetic durations of 15 minutes (ISO15) and 45 minutes (ISO45) were evaluated with a 2-week wash-out period between treatments. Physiologic parameters, reflexes, and behaviors were monitored to assess anesthesia quality. Food intake (grams of food per kg of body weight) and body weight were measured both before and after anesthesia to assess postsedation effects. Result: There was no statistically significant difference in body weight between or within treatments following the anesthetic events. A decrease in postanesthetic food intake from baseline values was noted with both treatments (ISO15: −16% [−40% to 167%]); (ISO45: −13% [−38% to 43%]), but these fluctuations were not statistically significant between or within treatments. The total amount of food consumed per hedgehog over the 6 days following anesthesia was 99 ± 23 g/kg (ISO15) and 108 ± 28 g/kg (ISO45, P = 0.15). Conclusions and clinical relevance: Differences in duration of isoflurane anesthesia of either 15 or 45 minutes does not have a clinically relevant effect on recovery time or postanesthetic food intake in hedgehogs.     

Cardiomyopathy in captive African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris).

From 1994 to 1999, 16 captive African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris), from among 42 necropsy cases, were diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. The incidence of cardiomyopathy in this study population was 38%. Fourteen of 16 hedgehogs with cardiomyopathy were males and all hedgehogs were adult (>1 year old). Nine hedgehogs exhibited 1 or more of the following clinical signs before death: heart murmur, lethargy, icterus, moist rales, anorexia, dyspnea, dehydration, and weight loss. The remaining 7 hedgehogs died without premonitory clinical signs. Gross findings were cardiomegaly (6 cases), hepatomegaly (5 cases), pulmonary edema (5 cases), pulmonary congestion (4 cases), hydrothorax (3 cases), pulmonary infarct (1 case), renal infarcts (1 case), ascites (1 case), and 5 cases showed no changes. Histologic lesions were found mainly within the left ventricular myocardium and consisted primarily of myodegeneration, myonecrosis, atrophy, hypertrophy, and disarray of myofibers. All hedgehogs with cardiomyopathy had myocardial fibrosis, myocardial edema, or both. Other common histopathologic findings were acute and chronic passive congestion of the lungs, acute passive congestion of the liver, renal tubular necrosis, vascular thrombosis, splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis, and hepatic lipidosis. This is the first report of cardiomyopathy in African hedgehogs.     

Evaluation of supraglottic airway device use during inhalation anesthesia in healthy African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris)

ObjectiveTo evaluate a supraglottic airway device (SGAD) designed for rabbits in African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) during inhalation anesthesia.Study designProspective, randomized, blinded experimental study.AnimalsA total of 12 adult African pygmy hedgehogs (seven male, five female).MethodsHedgehogs were placed in a chamber and anesthesia was induced using isoflurane in oxygen. Oropharyngeal endoscopy was performed and video recorded. The SGAD (v-gel R1) was inserted and connected to a Mapleson D circuit. Capnography, pulse oximetry and physiologic variables were measured during anesthesia, and lung inflation was tested at 10 and 20 cmH₂O. With the SGAD temporarily disconnected, anesthetized hedgehogs were randomly positioned into right and left lateral, dorsal and sternal recumbency to evaluate the effect of a change in body position on SGAD placement. Oropharyngeal endoscopy was repeated at the end of anesthesia, and recovery time was recorded. Pre- and post-SGAD placement endoscopy videos were retrospectively reviewed and scored for gross trauma.ResultsThe median [interquartile range (IQR)] time to successful SGAD placement was 38 (16–68) seconds. The time to SGAD placement decreased as the study progressed. SGAD required repositioning in six hedgehogs, median 2.5 (IQR, 1–3.5) adjustments each, to successfully perform lung inflation or maintain capnography readings. Lung inflation at 10 cmH₂O was successfully performed without leakage in nine animals, and in the other three animals after adjusting the SGAD at 1–2 time points. Inflation at 20 cmH₂O was rarely achieved without an air leak. Changes in heart and respiratory rates during anesthesia were not clinically relevant. Median endoscopic scores were 0 (no lesions) for both pre-and postplacement.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe SGAD was relatively quickly and easily placed, permitted lung inflation and caused no significant oropharyngeal damage. The SGAD is a practical option for airway management in African pygmy hedgehogs.     

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.     

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.     

Unilateral proptosis and orbital cellulitis in eight African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris).

Eight African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) were presented with unilateral proptosis. Six animals presented specifically for an ocular problem, whereas two had concurrent neurologic disease. Enucleation and light microscopic examination of tissues was performed in five animals, and euthanasia followed by complete postmortem examination was performed in three animals. Histopathologic findings in all hedgehogs included orbital cellulitis, panophthalmitis, and corneal ulceration, with perforation in seven of eight eyes. The etiology of the orbital cellulitis was not determined, but it appeared to precede proptosis. Orbits in hedgehogs are shallow and the palpebral fissures are large, which may predispose them to proptosis, similar to brachycephalic dogs. This clinical presentation was seen in 15% (8/54) of African hedgehogs presented to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine over a 2-yr period from January 1995 to December 1996 and warrants further investigation.     

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.     

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.     

Necropsy and histopathologic findings in 14 African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris): a retrospective study.

From fiscal years 1992 through 1996, 14 African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) cases were submitted to the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University. The most common diagnoses were splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis (91%), hepatic lipidosis (50%), renal disease (50%), and neoplastic disease (29%). Other less frequent necropsy findings were myocarditis (21%), colitis (14%), bacterial septicemia (14%), and pneumonia (14%). The data indicate that splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis, hepatic lipidosis, renal disease, and neoplasms are frequent postmortem findings in hedgehogs.     

Spontaneous proliferative lesions and tumors of the uterus of captive African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris).

Fifteen captive female African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris), 3- to 5-yr-old, were diagnosed with proliferative uterine lesions (n = 28). Lesions were associated with vaginal bleeding in all cases, hematuria in 11 of 13 cases, and weight loss in 7 of 12 cases. Lesions were multiple in eight cases and single in seven cases. The lesions identified were 13 adenosarcomas, 7 endometrial stromal sarcomas, 6 endometrial polyps, 1 adenoleiomyosarcoma, and 1 adenoleiomyoma. In one animal with adenosarcoma, peritoneal seeding was detected at the time of hysterectomy. Mean survival time was 303 days (n = 10). Ovariohysterectomy allows prolonged survival of hedgehogs with uterine tumors.     

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.     

Cutaneous papilloma and multicentric squamous cell carcinoma in four-toed hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris)

Skin lesions possibly caused by Papillomavirus infections in two four-toed hedgehogs are described. In case 1, there was a papillary mass on the right hind limb. Histologically, the mass was consistent with a viral papilloma. In the other case, multifocal papillary masses with erosions and ulcers were found throughout the body, mainly on the extremities. Histology showed continuative lesions composed of acanthosis, Bowenoid in situ carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, with abrupt transitions between the lesions. In both cases, keratinocytes in the granular layer infrequently had features of koilocytes and intranuclear inclusion bodies, and immunohistochemical staining was positive for anti-human papillomavirus antibody. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first pathological documentation of possibly papillomavirus-associated skin lesions in four-toed hedgehogs.