Malignant insulinoma in a crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous)

ABSTRACT

This report describes a case of insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cell carcinoma in a crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous). The animal died approximately 60 days after the first clinical signs. At necropsy, a nodule (2 x 3 cm) was observed in the pancreas. Microscopic features were consistent with a pancreatic islet cell carcinoma. By immunohistochemistry, neoplastic cells were strongly positive for insulin and synaptophysin while negative for glucagon. These results supported the diagnosis of insulinoma, which to the best of our knowledge is the first documented case of this tumor in a crab-eating fox.