ADRENAL GLAND LESIONS IN AFRICAN PAINTED DOGS (LYCAON PICTUS) OF THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS SPECIES...

African painted dogs (Lycaon pictus; APD) are an endangered canid species with sophisticated behaviors and social structure. In the United States, there are approximately 160 individuals housed at institutions accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, where health and disease are monitored, and breeding and management strategies are implemented according to the Species Survival Plan^®. From 1996 to mid-2025, 350 APD >1 yr old died or were euthanized and pathology reports were available for 188 (54%) individuals. Of the 81 with adrenal glands submitted for histologic evaluation, lesions were reported in 52 individuals, including 30 (58%) males and 22 (42%) females, 38 (73%) of which were intact. Common histologic lesions included nodular cortical hyperplasia (n = 24; 45%), cortical adenoma (n = 11; 21%), cortical carcinoma (n = 6; 11%), and pheochromocytoma (n = 8; 15%). There were two cases of metastatic neoplasia affecting the adrenal glands and two medullary thromboses/hematomas. Six dogs had more than one adrenal lesion. Nodular cortical hyperplasia was predominantly found in older adults (median age, 12 yr) and more so in males than females (1.4:1). Cortical carcinomas and pheochromocytomas were diagnosed in APD with several concurrent lesions, including other malignant neoplasms. Of dogs with malignant adrenal neoplasms, the median age was 12 yr and 42 (84%) were related as siblings or offspring. Although nodular cortical hyperplasia is considered an age-related process, malignant adrenal neoplasms may involve additional factors, thus warranting further investigation.