Splenic Lymphoma with Cerebellar Involvement in an African Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

A 3-year-old female African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was presented with a progressive history of depression, hyporexia, weight loss, and severe ataxia of the pelvic limbs. The diagnostic blood test results were nonspecific and whole-body radiographs revealed an enlarged spleen. Ultrasonographic images showed splenomegaly with multiple hypoechoic nodules. Based on imaging, an initial diagnosis of a degenerative, vascular, or neoplastic disease was made. Because of a poor prognosis, the owners requested euthanasia and allowed for a pathologic examination of the hedgehog. Histopathologic review of the tissues confirmed that the animal had lymphoma. Lesions were multicentric and involved the spleen, mediastinal lymph node, and central nervous system. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of splenic lymphoma with cerebellar involvement in an African hedgehog. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.