Osteosarcoma in a male giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata)

The relevance of this study lay in the limited information available regarding documented clinical cases of oncological diseases, specifically osteogenic sarcoma, in even-toed ungulates of the Giraffidae family. In domestic small animals, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and radiography are commonly employed to assess bone lesions and distant metastasis. However, applying such imaging techniques to wild animals presents significant challenges. This research aimed to verify the clinical diagnosis of osteogenic sarcoma in a giraffe. To achieve this, the animal was administered general non-inhalation anaesthesia, followed by diagnostic clinical and radiographic examinations of the joint, along with pathological verification of tumour tissue. Tissue samples obtained from the animal were subjected to histological analysis. Clinical examination revealed an increase in volume and thickening of the carpal joint in the left thoracic limb. Based on clinical signs, the pathological process extended through the cortical layer, distending the periosteum of the carpal joint. Additionally, characteristic symptoms of chronic pain and exhaustion were observed in the animal. Radiographic imaging revealed evidence of bone and cartilage involvement in the joint, exhibiting an aggressive and destructive pattern, along with osteolytic changes accompanied by minimal calcification. The cortical bone layer remained intact, with the lesions localised to the epiphyseal-metaphyseal region of the forelimb bones. Pathohistological analysis confirmed the presence of osteoblastic osteosarcoma. The findings of this comprehensive investigation provided novel insights into the progression of osteosarcoma in giraffes, particularly highlighting the pathological morphology of a malignant bone-forming tumour. These results contribute to the existing knowledge of the pathogenesis of bone oncopathology in wild animals, which holds significance for veterinary practice and scientific research. Therefore, the practical value of this study lies in enhancing the understanding of the pathological morphology of oncological diseases affecting the appendicular skeleton