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Cardiomyopathy in captive African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris)
1Northwest ZooPath, Snohomish, WA 98296-4815, USA.
Insights
Cardiomyopathy was diagnosed in 38% of captive African hedgehogs studied. This heart condition, primarily affecting adult males, often presented with subtle or no clinical signs before death.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Cardiology
- Exotic Animal Medicine
Background:
- Cardiomyopathy is a significant concern in various animal species.
- Limited information exists regarding cardiac diseases in African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris).
- This study investigates the incidence and pathology of cardiomyopathy in a captive population of African hedgehogs.
Observation:
- A 38% incidence of cardiomyopathy was identified in 42 necropsy cases of African hedgehogs.
- The condition predominantly affected adult males (14 out of 16 cases).
- Clinical signs, when present, included lethargy, dyspnea, anorexia, and heart murmur; however, 7 hedgehogs died without premonitory signs.
Findings:
- Gross findings included cardiomegaly, hepatomegaly, pulmonary edema, and congestion.
- Histopathological examination revealed lesions in the left ventricular myocardium, characterized by myodegeneration, myonecrosis, atrophy, hypertrophy, myofiber disarray, myocardial fibrosis, and edema.
- Associated findings included passive congestion in lungs and liver, renal tubular necrosis, vascular thrombosis, and hepatic lipidosis.
Implications:
- This is the first report detailing cardiomyopathy in African hedgehogs, establishing it as a recognized pathological condition in the species.
- Findings highlight the importance of considering cardiomyopathy in the differential diagnosis of sick or deceased African hedgehogs.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the etiology, genetic predispositions, and potential treatment strategies for this condition in African hedgehogs.
Abstract:
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.