Cutaneous Epithelioid Variant Hemangiosarcoma in a Captive African Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

Abstract

Hedgehogs are susceptible to tumors involving the integumentary system. In this case report, an adult female African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) presented to the teaching hospital at Oklahoma State University for a cutaneous mass that appeared after trauma. A histologic diagnosis of epithelioid variant hemangiosarcoma was made on examination of the surgically excised mass. Six months after excision, a second mass appeared in the same location and euthanasia was elected because of the poor prognosis with tumor recurrence. Necropsy examination revealed an extensive subcutaneous mass with histological features similar to the initial surgical biopsy and the presence of distant site metastasis. Immunohistochemistry supported the diagnosis of primary cutaneous epithelioid variant hemangiosarcoma with distant site metastases.

Key words: African hedgehog, Atelerix albiventris, hemangiosarcoma, tumor, skin