First case of hemochromatosis in a sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps)

Abstract

A 14-year-old, male sugar glider presented with lethargy, anorexia, diarrhea, and paralysis of the hind limbs, and ultrasonography showed possible liver dysfunction. Some medications were administered, but the animal died 10 months after the first presentation, and a necropsy was performed. Histopathologically, hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis, severe deposition of hemosiderin in Kupffer cells and hepatocytes, bridging fibrosis, and regenerative nodules were observed in the liver. Variably amounts of hemosiderin deposition was observed in the heart, lungs, spleen, and kidney. These findings led to the diagnosis of hemochromatosis. No sugar glider cases with hemochromatosis have been reported. The pathological characteristics of hemochromatosis in this species were documented for the first time. The pathogenesis of hemochromatosis in animals remains unclear, but it has been suggested that some commercially available food for sugar gliders containing excessive amounts of iron and vitamin C may induce the disease.