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

J Comp Pathol. 2001 Feb-Apr;124(2-3):128-33. doi: 10.1053/jcpa.2000.0441.

Abstract

Forty tumours were diagnosed in 35 (53%) of 66 captive African hedgehogs documented at Northwest ZooPath (NZP) between 1994 and 1999. Three hedgehogs had more than one type of tumour and the remaining 32 had a single type. Of the 35 hedgehogs with tumours, 14 were female, 11 were male, and 10 were of unknown gender; 21 were from zoological parks and 14 were privately owned. Twenty of the hedgehogs with tumours were adult (>1 year old) with a median age of 3.5 years (range 2-5.5 years); 15, of unreported age, were classified as adult. Thirty-four (85%) of the 40 tumours were classified as malignant and six (15%) as benign. The integumentary, haemolymphatic, digestive and endocrine systems were common sites for tumours. The most common tumours were mammary gland adenocarcinoma, lympho-sarcoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Zoo*
  • Female
  • Hedgehogs*
  • Male
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms / veterinary*
  • Retrospective Studies