An intra-abdominal malignant mesenchymoma associated with nonabsorbable sutures in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo).
A 6-year-old ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was presented with abdominal enlargement. Clinical examination revealed an intra-abdominal mass measuring approximately 5 cm in diameter. Abdominal survey radiographs revealed a sharply marginated mass with multifocal radiodense foci, suggestive of pathologic calcification. A complete blood cell count revealed a moderate, normocytic, normochromic, nonregenerative anemia. The mass was surgically removed en bloc, fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin solution, and routinely processed for histologic and immunohistochemical investigation. The neoplastic tissue consisted of a mixed neoplastic cell population, including osteosarcoma and fibrosarcoma components. Immunohistochemistry revealed that both neoplastic cell populations were positive for vimentin and negative for actin (smooth and striated), desmin, and myoglobin. Nonabsorbable suture material was admixed with the neoplastic tissue in the histologic section. This material was birefringent when viewed microscopically under polarized light.
Petterino
Claudio
C
Department of Public Health, Comparative Pathology and Veterinary Hygiene School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Padua, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020, Legnaro (PD), Italy. claudio.petterino@unipd.it
Bedin
Marco
M
Vascellari
Marta
M
Mutinelli
Franco
F
Ratto
Alessandra
A
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005289:Ferrets; D008637:Mesenchymoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D013537:Sutures / Q000009:adverse effects*