case of interscapular fibrosarcoma in a dwarf rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

• Published in: Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation 2009-11, Vol.21 (6), p.900-905
• Main Authors: Petterino, Claudio, Modesto, Paola, Strata, Daniela, Vascellari, Marta, Mutinelli, Franco, Ferrari, Angelo, Ratto, Alessandra
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adverse effects; Animals; antibiotics; case studies; Cat Diseases - pathology; Cats; complications; drug therapy; etiology; Euthanasia; Fibroblasts - pathology; fibrosarcoma; Fibrosarcoma - pathology; Fibrosarcoma - surgery; Fibrosarcoma - veterinary; histochemistry; histopathology; immunohistochemistry; injection site; interscapular fibrosarcoma; Male; miniature breeds; rabbit diseases; Rabbits; shoulders; signs and symptoms (animals and humans); swelling (physiological); vaccination; Vimentin
• ISSN: 1040-6387; 1943-4936
• DOI: 10.1177/104063870902100626

Correspondence: 1 Corresponding Author: Alessandra Ratto, National Reference Centre of Veterinary and Comparative Oncology, CEROVEC–Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle D'Aosta, Piazza Borgo Pila, 39 int. 24, Torre B, 16129 Genova, Italy. alerat16{at}libero.it A 1-year-old, intact, male dwarf rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) was vaccinated against myxomatosis and rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease in February 1999, and a localized reaction appeared in the same anatomic site within a few days. No regression was observed after subcutaneous antibiotic treatment. The rabbit was kept under observation, and the swelling apparently disappeared in 3 months. The owner then decided to avoid any further subcutaneous drug administration. The referring veterinarian examined the animal on July 2006 for the sudden appearance of a nodular, 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm x 2.0 cm, subcutaneous mass located over the interscapular space. Fine-needle aspiration was performed, and a population of neoplastic spindle cells, rare pleomorphic multinucleated cells, and rare leukocytes were observed. The mass was surgically removed, fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, and routinely processed for histologic, histochemical, and immunohistochemical diagnostic investigation. The neoplastic tissue exhibited fascicles composed of malignant spindle-shaped cells with elongated to oval hyperchromatic nuclei and scant cytoplasm. Occasional multinucleated cells were also observed. The neoplastic cells were immunoreactive for vimentin but did not stain for smooth muscle actin, desmin, myoglobin, and cytokeratins (AE1/AE3). Moreover, the histochemical stain for aluminum was positive. The diagnosis was fibrosarcoma based on morphologic and immunohistochemical results. The histologic features of this neoplasm were remarkably similar to feline injection-site sarcoma. Key Words: Aluminum • dwarf rabbits • fibrosarcoma • injection site