Gastrointestinal obstruction secondary to seminal vesicle cystic hyperplasia in an African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

A 3-year-old, male, entire African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was presented for a 10-day history of hyporexia, mucoid green faeces and lethargy. Survey radiographs revealed a left caudal abdominal mass effect with cranial displacement and gas distension of the intestinal loops. During exploratory laparotomy, the cause of the mass effect was revealed to be grossly enlarged seminal vesicles, which were excised. Histopathology revealed uniform polycystic glandular architecture, consistent with benign cystic hyperplasia. The patient recovered and was clinically healthy at the last follow-up examination. This is the first detailed report describing the antemortem diagnosis of benign seminal vesicular cystic hyperplasia resulting in presumptive clinical gastrointestinal disease in an African pygmy hedgehog.