[Subcutaneous fibrosarcoma in a lion (Panthera leo)]

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Comparative Pathology
• Zoological Wildlife Health

Background:

• Fibrosarcoma is a malignant tumor arising from fibrous connective tissues.
• Neoplasms in zoo animals require careful diagnosis and management.
• Surgical intervention is a primary treatment for localized tumors.

Observation:

• A subcutaneous growth was observed on a zoo lion, progressively enlarging over three months.
• Clinical and histological examinations confirmed the diagnosis of fibrosarcoma.
• A wire foreign body was incidentally found in the abdominal cavity post-mortem.

Findings:

• Surgical excision of the fibrosarcoma was performed.
• The lion was euthanized three weeks post-surgery.
• Autopsy revealed no evidence of tumor metastasis, despite the presence of a wire foreign body unrelated to the malignancy.

Implications:

• This case highlights the occurrence of fibrosarcoma in zoo megafauna.
• Complete surgical removal can be curative for localized fibrosarcoma in lions.
• Routine post-mortem examinations are crucial for identifying incidental findings in wildlife.