Bilateral renal dysplasia with systemic fibrous osteodystrophy in a four-toed hedgehog (Atelerixalbiventris)

Abstract

A 4-month-old female four-toed hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) presented with lethargy, anorexia, dyspnoea and weight loss. Following death, post-mortem computed tomography (CT) and an autopsy were performed. CT revealed that the external surfaces of bones, including the cranial bones and vertebrae, were rough and osteolytic lesions were present multifocally in the ribs and some appendicular bones. On gross examination, both kidneys were severely enlarged and, on cut sections, a few cysts (up to 1 mm diameter) were present in the medulla. The cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae were diffusely enlarged with deformation of the intervertebral discs. Histologically, there were immature glomeruli and tubules and adenomatoid/atypical epithelium in the kidneys. These changes were interpreted as renal dysplasia. In the bones evaluated, the trabeculae were thinner than normal, decreased in number and surrounded by many osteoclasts, with abundant fibrous connective tissue between atrophied trabeculae. These changes were consistent with fibrous osteodystrophy. Although kidney diseases are common in four-toed hedgehogs, there are no reports of congenital renal diseases, including renal dysplasia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the clinical and pathological features of renal dysplasia with fibrous osteodystrophy in a four-toed hedgehog.