TREATMENT OF RENAL CARCINOMA IN A BINTURONG (ARCTICTIS BINTURONG) WITH NEPHRECTOMY AND A TYROSINE KINASE INHIBITOR

A 13-yr-old female binturong (Arctictis binturong) presented with a 1 wk history of decreased appetite. The animal was thin, with hypercalcemia (calcium 12.2 mg/dl). A right renal mass was identified on ultrasound and removed via nephrectomy. Histopathology indicated a renal adenocarcinoma. Treatment with toceranib phosphate, a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, was initiated and well tolerated by the animal. Four months after initial diagnosis radiographs indicated metastases to the lungs and the animal was euthanized. Necropsy revealed disseminated adenocarcinoma. Although treatment did not prevent metastasis, it was minimally invasive and well tolerated by the animal with minimal side effects. Review of records at the institution revealed that the cause of death for the primary case's dam and sire was disseminated renal carcinoma. These cases suggest that there may be a hereditary component to development of renal neoplasia in binturongs. Renal carcinoma should be considered an aggressive neoplasia in binturongs with a poor prognosis.