Spontaneous neoplasms in captive Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana): a retrospective case series (1989–2014) and review of the literature

• Published in: Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation 2017-05, Vol.29 (3), p.331-337
• Main Authors: Pope, Jenny P., Donnell, Robert L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Animals, Wild; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - diagnosis; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - epidemiology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - veterinary; Didelphis; Female; Lung Neoplasms - diagnosis; Lung Neoplasms - epidemiology; Lung Neoplasms - veterinary; Male; Retrospective Studies; Skin Neoplasms - diagnosis; Skin Neoplasms - epidemiology; Skin Neoplasms - veterinary; Tennessee - epidemiology
• ISSN: 1040-6387; 1943-4936
• DOI: 10.1177/1040638717704017

This retrospective project summarizes the types of neoplasms identified in Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) presented to the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) postmortem service in 1989–2014 and serves as a review of the literature. Of the 85 Virginia opossums identified from the UTCVM case database, there were 17 diagnoses of neoplasia from 12 cases (14%). These cases included 8 females, 2 males, and 2 neutered males. All opossums with known ages (11 of 12) were >2 y old. Pulmonary tumors, specifically minimally invasive or lepidic-predominant adenocarcinomas, were the most common diagnosis and accounted for 53% (9 of 17) of the neoplasms. Additional tumors included acute myeloid leukemia with eosinophil maturation, hepatic hemangiosarcoma, sarcoma (unknown origin), squamous cell carcinoma, disseminated mast cell tumor, trichoblastoma, thyroid adenoma, and an osteoma. These findings serve as a reference for the types of spontaneous neoplasms in Virginia opossums; based on these findings, neoplasia should be considered as a differential in mature captive Virginia opossums.