Spontaneous neoplasia in four captive greater hedgehog tenrecs (Setifer setosus)

J Zoo Wildl Med. 2008 Sep;39(3):392-7. doi: 10.1638/2007-0063.1.

Abstract

Little information is available about diseases and pathology of species within the family Tenrecidae, including the greater hedgehog tenrec (Setifer setosus), a Madagascan insectivore. This report summarizes necropsy and histopathologic findings of neoplasia in four captive greater hedgehog tenrecs. Although only four animals are included in this report, neoplasia seems to be a common and significant source of morbidity and mortality in greater hedgehog tenrecs. Types of neoplasia identified include a thyroid follicular-solid carcinoma, two urinary bladder transitional cell carcinomas, uterine endometrial polyps, and multicentric B-cell lymphoma. Due to small sample size, no etiology could be determined, but genetics, viral infection, pesticide treatment, nutrition, or other environmental factors might contribute to the development of neoplasia in this species. This is the first report of neoplasia in greater hedgehog tenrecs.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Zoo
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / epidemiology
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / veterinary
  • Cause of Death
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / mortality
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / veterinary
  • Female
  • Hedgehogs*
  • Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
  • Madagascar
  • Male
  • Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms / mortality
  • Neoplasms / veterinary*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / mortality
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / veterinary
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / mortality
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / pathology
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / veterinary