Soft tissue sarcomas in 2 zoo-housed Alaskan moose. (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Walker, Bridget; Eustace, Ronan; Junge, Randall E.; Hsu, Tu Chun; Watson, Victoria
• Is Part Of: Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation. Volume 34:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: 662
• Page End: 667
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: Alces alces -- moose -- neoplasia -- soft tissue sarcoma; Veterinary medicine -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; 636.0896075
• DOI: 10.1177/10406387221101853
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1040-6387

Abstract

Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are common well-described cutaneous neoplasms in many domestic species. Few cutaneous neoplasms have been reported in cervids, other than papilloma virus–induced benign cutaneous fibromas (BCFs). Two wild-caught Alaskan moose ( Alces alces ), housed at different North American zoos, were both presented with lameness and a mass. The gross appearance of each mass varied greatly; case 1 had a distinct, exophytic, ulcerated mass near the right carpal joint similar in appearance to a BCF, and case 2 had a pronounced swelling over the left hip. Based on histologic evaluation, both masses were diagnosed as STS. The clinical presentation of these masses included rapid growth and associated lameness; however, gross appearance was markedly different. Histopathology revealed characteristics typical of STS in other species, including spindle-shaped cells arranged in streaming sheets with ovoid nuclei. STS should be included as a differential diagnosis for moose with a cutaneous or subcutaneous soft tissue mass or swelling.