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The most commonly reported tumors in ferrets are carcinomas, followed by round cell tumors. Soft tissue sarcomas are reported and characterized much less frequently. Because domesticated ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) are direct descendants of European polecats (Mustela putorius), the types and prevalence of tumors are expected to be similar in the two species. Presented here is a case report of unusual immunohistochemical staining characteristics of an abdominal wall leiomyosarcoma in a close relative of domestic ferrets, the European polecat. Sections of tissue were preserved in 10% buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin, and sectioned at 5 mm. Routine staining with hematoxylin and eosin and several immunohistochemical tests were performed to identify the tumor tissue of origin. Although the tumor did not stain with antibody to desmin, further staining for smooth muscle actin was consistent with a smooth muscle origin. To the authors' knowledge, this report is the first description of a leiomyosarcoma in the European polecat. This report emphasizes the importance of using additional secondary markers to accurately diagnose anaplastic tumors.

Fatal Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection was diagnosed in 3 bushbabies (Galago crassicaudatus) in a large prosimian colony. The clinical signs were diarrhea, dyspnea, hyperthermia, dehydration, and lethargy. Histologically, the disease was characterized by lesions of ulcerative enterocolitis, necrotizing hepatitis, splenitis, lymphadenitis, and nonsuppurative pneumonitis.

A cholangiocarcinoma in the liver with metastasis to the regional lymph nodes was found in a male ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). The liver was partially replaced by a gray-white, coarsely lobulated mass. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of well circumscribed lobules of anaplastic, low cuboidal cells occasionally arranged in duct-like structures. The tumor did not involve the gallbladder.