OBSTETRICAL AND POSTPARTUM COMPLICATIONS IN LESSER MADAGASCAR HEDGEHOG TENRECS (ECHINOPS TELFAIRI): FOUR CASES

Currently, little is known about diseases and health concerns in tenrecs, family Tenrecidae. During the past 10 yr of breeding lesser Madagascar hedgehog tenrecs ( Echinops telfairi ) at a single zoological institution, a diverse range of obstetric and postpartum complications have been observed: pyometra, metritis, retained fetal membranes, retained fetus, perinatal mortality, and maternal neglect with subsequent successful hand-rearing of neonates. Treatment of these problems is complicated in tenrecs because of their small size and secretive behavior. Some of the cases reported in this article had successful resolution by ovariohysterectomy or cesarean section. The four cases described in this report overall help to disseminate options and outcomes for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of obstetric and postpartum complications in this small, secretive, nondomestic species.