Pheochromocytoma in a white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)

A 46-yr-old male white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) died during anesthesia following agonal excitation. On postmortem, a well-demarcated 2.5-cm tan mass was identified in the right adrenal gland. Histopathology confirmed the presence of a pheochromocytoma, and elevated levels of epinephrine in serum collected shortly prior to the animal's death, as compared with sera from healthy controls, demonstrated the functional nature of the tumor. Although rare, pheochromocytoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of suspected hypertension and acute death in rhinos.