A subcutaneous lipoma in a male red fox

Abstract

An 8-year-old male red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Species Restoration Technology Institute of Korea National Park Service (KNPS), revealed nodular growths in its ventro-cervical region. The fox was introduced from Young- Yang Gun in 2012 to KNPS for re-introduction of the red fox. It has been cared in captive facility and showed the mass in August 2013 that was sent to Wildlife Medical Center. For the diagnosis of underlying disease and cervical mass, radiographical and sonographical examinations, complete blood count, serum chemistry analysis, peripheral blood smear examination and surgical removal of the mass were performed. The mass was fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and processed routinely for haematoxylin and eosin (HE) stain. Based on hematological and serum chemical examination, the fox showed mild leukocytosis, thrombopenia, increase of creatine kinase MB (CKMB) and uric acid. However, it was considered as no clinical relevance since the fox showed no related clinical signs. Macroscopically, the mass was round shape, whitish and well-demarcated. Microscopically, it was diagnosed as a lipoma consisting of mature adipose tissue. Lipoma is a common benign tumor in most domestic animals, however it has never been reported in the red fox. The present case report provides comprehensive diagnosis of a subcutaneous lipoma in a red fox. ? 2015, Journal of Veterinary Clinics. All rights reserved.