Management of an Extraskeletal Osteosarcoma in an African Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

doi:10.1053/j.jepm.2011.02.011

Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine

Volume 20, Issue 2, April 2011, Pages 151-155

https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2011.02.011 Get rights and content

Abstract

A 5-year-old female African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was presented with a mass on its left caudodorsal flank and progressive lethargy. A fine-needle aspirate of the mass was suggestive of a malignant spindle cell tumor. After the diagnostic test results were obtained, the mass was surgically removed. Histopathological examination of tissue sections from the mass revealed incomplete excision of an extraskeletal osteosarcoma. Approximately 2 months after surgery, the patient suddenly died. Gross examination at necropsy revealed multifocal nodules within the spleen, liver, and lungs. Histopathology of the tissues that contained the multifocal nodules was consistent with metastatic osteosarcoma, originating from the original extraskeletal soft tissue osteosarcoma on the flank. Incidental uterine leiomyoma was also discovered at necropsy. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported attempt at surgical treatment of the rarely documented extraskeletal osteosarcoma in a hedgehog.

Section snippets

Discussion

Neoplasia is an exceedingly common antemortem and postmortem finding in African hedgehogs. After epithelial and round cell tumors, spindle cell (mesenchymal) tumors are the third most common type of tumor documented in African hedgehogs, with an incidence of approximately 4% on necropsy.¹ Examples of mesenchymal tumors found in African hedgehogs include histiocytic sarcoma, fibrous histiocytoma, neurofibrosarcomas, osteosarcomas, hemangiomas, fibrosarcomas, uterine leiomyomas, and

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to thank Don Peterson, VMD, Steven L. Stockham, DVM, MS, Dip. ACVP, and Jennifer L. Johnson-Neitman, DVM, for assistance with this case.

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Spontaneous tumors in captive African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris): a retrospective study
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African hedgehogs

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Cited by (13)

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Forelimb amputation for the treatment of distal radius osteosarcoma in an African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)
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Citation Excerpt :
Only one case of appendicular osteosarcoma affecting the scapula has been diagnosed postmortem in this species [10]. One report describes the management of an extraskeletal osteosarcoma in a hedgehog [11]. Surgical excision was attempted, but complete margins were not achieved.
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.
Geriatric Hedgehogs
2020, Veterinary Clinics of North America - Exotic Animal Practice
Citation Excerpt :
The prevalence of musculoskeletal disease among hedgehog clinical cases was more than 15% in another report and included conditions such as obesity (10.38%), degenerative joint disease (1.89%), spondylosis (2.83%), and annular pedal constriction (4.72%)2 (Figs. 9 and 10). Most reports of musculoskeletal neoplasia in hedgehogs concern osteosarcoma.4,20,102–104 Multicentric skeletal sarcomas (associated with probable retrovirus particles) and anaplastic fibrosarcoma have also been reported.64,105
African Pygmy Hedgehogs
2020, Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery
African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) are popular, small, exotic mammal pets routinely presented for veterinary care. They are in the order Eulipotyphla, closely related to shrews and moles, and are nocturnal. Hedgehogs are covered by a dorsum of thousands of keratinaceous spines also known as the mantle. Unique musculature allows hedgehogs to defensively pull their spiny mantle around their entire body. While mainly insectivorous, African pygmy hedgehogs can be maintained on a commercial diet formulated for insectivores or high-quality, low-fat cat or dog kibble with live insects as treats. Housing should be easy to clean and provide the basic needs of foraging, digging, and exercise, as well as appropriate temperatures, as hedgehogs can enter torpor, a dormant state, if too cold. Hedgehogs can make numerous vocalizations, including hisses, snorts, and screams, and their ability to roll up into a ball when distressed makes physical examination without chemical immobilization impossible. Isoflurane is the most commonly used agent for chemical immobilization in hedgehogs, although injectable sedation combinations can be a suitable alternative. Sex determination is easily performed by examining anogenital distance and adult males possess large accessory sex glands which may be confused for masses on abdominal palpation. Neoplastic, integumentary, and uterine diseases as well as obesity are very common in captive animals. While often presented for neurologic diseases like Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome, hedgehogs weak from non-neurologic illness often appear ataxic. Strict hygiene is important with pet hedgehogs, as they can transmit several zoonotic diseases, including salmonellosis and dermatophytosis.
A retrospective study of the medical status on 63 african hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) at the taipei zoo from 2003 to 2011
2015, Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine
Citation Excerpt :
Because the maternal attacks only occurred in the litters of a few females, it was recommended that these animals not be selected for reproductive activity in the future. Most published articles on hedgehogs are from the United States, including retrospective studies7,9,11,14,15,27,30,31 and sporadic case reports.2-6,8,10,12,17,32 Little information on the health status of hedgehog populations is known from other geographic areas.
Inbreeding of African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) is considered a problem as breeders try to meet the demands of the pet trade. Most studies of African hedgehogs are concentrated in the USA. This study investigates and compares the life span and medical conditions of captive African hedgehogs at the Taipei Zoo, Taiwan. The medical records of 63 African hedgehogs at the Taipei Zoo from 2003 to 2011 were collected and analyzed statistically for this retrospective study. The mean life span of the 39 deceased hedgehogs in the study was 3.4 ± 1.1 years. The average weight was 401 ± 98 g. Female hedgehogs were heavier than males. The primary cause of death in this group of animals was neoplasia (35.9%). Oral squamous cell carcinoma was the most common form of neoplasia diagnosed (35.7%). Hematologic and serum biochemical tests from 9 healthy adults revealed increased alanine aminotransaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and albumin values compared with references. Decreased values for alkaline phosphatase, amylase, and creatinine levels were also found. The results of this study may provide a better understanding of African hedgehog health and may help to determine potential management problems.
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Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine

Abstract

Section snippets

Discussion

Acknowledgments

References (9)

A review of neoplasia in the captive African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

Semin Avian Exotic Pet Med

Spinal osteosarcoma in a hedgehog with pedal self-mutilation

Vet Clin Exotic Anim

Spontaneous tumors in captive African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris): a retrospective study

J Comp Pathol

African hedgehogs

Cited by (13)

Dermatologic Diseases of Four-Toed Hedgehogs

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

Geriatric Hedgehogs

African Pygmy Hedgehogs

A retrospective study of the medical status on 63 african hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) at the taipei zoo from 2003 to 2011

African Hedgehogs

AEMV forumManagement of an Extraskeletal Osteosarcoma in an African Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

Abstract

Section snippets

Discussion

Acknowledgments

Semin Avian Exotic Pet Med

Vet Clin Exotic Anim

J Comp Pathol

AEMV forum
Management of an Extraskeletal Osteosarcoma in an African Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)