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Willig F, Torpy FJ, Harrison SH, Duke EG, Troan B, Boddy AM, Abegglen LM, Harrison TM. Evaluation of Neoplasia, Treatments, and Survival in Lizard Species. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1395. [PMID: 38791614 PMCID: PMC11117239 DOI: 10.3390/ani14101395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Neoplasia has been reported in lizards, but more research is needed to accurately document the prevalence and prognosis of the various known neoplasms that affect lizards. This study reviewed medical records from an online database, the Exotic Species Cancer Research Alliance (ESCRA), and reviewed published literature to determine the prevalence of neoplasia, malignancy, metastasis, treatment strategies, and outcomes by species and sex. Records from 55 individual lizards, 20 different species, and 37 different tumors were identified. In the literature, 219 lizards, 59 species, and 86 unique tumors were identified from 72 published case reports. Potential signalment factors such as age, sex, and species were evaluated to see if they affected case outcome. Additional factors including neoplasia type, presence of metastasis, and types of pursued treatments were also evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed to determine whether a factor was significantly associated with animal death due to the identified neoplasia or with animal survival or death due to other causes (non-neoplastic outcomes). Komodo dragons and savannah monitors were more likely to die from neoplasia compared to other lizard species. Cases where the status of metastasis was unknown were significantly associated with death due to neoplasia. Having an unknown status of male versus female was significantly associated with non-neoplastic outcomes of death. Leukemia and islet cell carcinoma were significantly associated with death due to neoplastic causes. Chondrosarcoma, myxosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and squamous cell carcinoma were significantly associated with non-neoplastic outcomes of death. Surgery alone and radiation therapy alone each were significantly associated with non-neoplastic outcomes of death, while lizards not receiving treatment were significantly associated with death due to neoplasia. Benign neoplasia was significantly associated with non-neoplastic outcomes of death. These results will aid in the improved diagnosis and management of neoplasia in lizard species, as well as expanding our understanding of prognostic indicators of neoplasia in lizards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Willig
- Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Exotic Species Cancer Research Alliance, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA (E.G.D.); (B.T.); (A.M.B.); (L.M.A.)
| | - Fred J. Torpy
- Exotic Species Cancer Research Alliance, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA (E.G.D.); (B.T.); (A.M.B.); (L.M.A.)
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Scott H. Harrison
- Department of Biology, North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA;
| | - Elizabeth G. Duke
- Exotic Species Cancer Research Alliance, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA (E.G.D.); (B.T.); (A.M.B.); (L.M.A.)
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Brigid Troan
- Exotic Species Cancer Research Alliance, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA (E.G.D.); (B.T.); (A.M.B.); (L.M.A.)
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Amy M. Boddy
- Exotic Species Cancer Research Alliance, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA (E.G.D.); (B.T.); (A.M.B.); (L.M.A.)
- Department of Anthropology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Lisa M. Abegglen
- Exotic Species Cancer Research Alliance, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA (E.G.D.); (B.T.); (A.M.B.); (L.M.A.)
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Tara M. Harrison
- Exotic Species Cancer Research Alliance, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA (E.G.D.); (B.T.); (A.M.B.); (L.M.A.)
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
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Wiggans KT, Sanchez-Migallon Guzman D, Reilly CM, Vergneau-Grosset C, Kass PH, Hollingsworth SR. Diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of and risk factors for ophthalmic disease in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) at a veterinary teaching hospital: 52 cases (1985-2013). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2019; 252:316-323. [PMID: 29346051 DOI: 10.2460/javma.252.3.316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of and risk factors for ophthalmic disease in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) evaluated at a veterinary teaching hospital. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 112 of 144 (78%) leopard geckos that were evaluated at a veterinary teaching hospital in January 1985 through October 2013 and for which sufficient medical record information was available. PROCEDURES Information from medical records was used to identify leopard geckos with ophthalmic disease, characterize cases, and determine risk factors for the presence of ophthalmic disease. RESULTS Of the 112 leopard geckos, 52 (46%) had ophthalmic disease (mainly corneal or conjunctival disease). Female geckos were less likely to have ophthalmic disease, and there was a positive association between increasing age and ophthalmic disease. Use of a paper towel substrate, absence of any heat source, and lack of vitamin A supplementation were positively associated with a diagnosis of ophthalmic disease. Head dysecdysis was the only concurrent disorder significantly associated with ophthalmic disease. At necropsy, 5 affected leopard geckos had squamous metaplasia of the conjunctivae. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that ophthalmic disease is a common finding in leopard geckos. The cause of ocular surface disease in leopard geckos may be multifactorial, and hypovitaminosis A may be an important risk factor. Although animals receiving supplemental vitamin A were less likely to have ophthalmic disease, further understanding is required regarding the metabolism of and nutritional requirements for vitamin A in leopard geckos.
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Applegate JR, Troan BV, Chen LR, Suter SE. Surgical Management of Colonic Adenocarcinoma in a Rat (Rattus norvegicus). J Exot Pet Med 2017. [DOI: 10.1053/j.jepm.2016.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Christman J, Devau M, Wilson-Robles H, Hoppes S, Rech R, Russell KE, Heatley JJ. Oncology of Reptiles: Diseases, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 2017; 20:87-110. [PMID: 27890294 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvex.2016.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Based on necropsy review, neoplasia in reptiles has a comparable frequency to that of mammals and birds. Reptile neoplasia is now more frequently diagnosed in clinical practice based on increased use of advanced diagnostic techniques and improvements in reptilian husbandry allowing greater longevity of these species. This article reviews the current literature on neoplasia in reptiles, and focuses on advanced diagnostics and therapeutic options for reptilian patientssuffering neoplastic disease. Although most applied clinical reptile oncology is translated from dog and cat oncology, considerations specific to reptilian patients commonly encountered in clinical practice (turtles, tortoises, snakes, and lizards) are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Christman
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 408 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, College Station, TX 77843-4474, USA
| | - Michael Devau
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 408 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, College Station, TX 77843-4474, USA
| | - Heather Wilson-Robles
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 408 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, College Station, TX 77843-4474, USA
| | - Sharman Hoppes
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 408 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, College Station, TX 77843-4474, USA
| | - Raquel Rech
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 400 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, College Station, TX 77843-4467, USA
| | - Karen E Russell
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 408 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, College Station, TX 77843-4474, USA
| | - J Jill Heatley
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 408 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, College Station, TX 77843-4474, USA.
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Irizarry Rovira AR, Holzer TR, Credille KM. Systemic mastocytosis in an African fat-tail gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus). J Comp Pathol 2014; 151:130-4. [PMID: 24813156 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2014.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/15/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A 3-year-old African fat-tail gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) suddenly became lethargic and died 2 days later. Necropsy examination revealed a submandibular mass and discolouration of the liver, kidneys and skeletal muscles of the tail. Microscopical evaluation revealed neoplastic mast cells in the skin, liver, kidneys, skeletal muscles, bones, spleen, uterus, ovaries and lungs. Exfoliative cytological, histopathological and ultrastructural features were consistent with systemic mastocytosis. Neoplastic proliferative disorders of mast cells are rare in reptiles and this is the first report of mast cell neoplasia in geckos.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Irizarry Rovira
- Department of Investigational Pathology, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - T R Holzer
- Department of Diagnostic and Experimental Pathology, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - K M Credille
- Department of Diagnostic and Experimental Pathology, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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