# Successful Treatment of an Acinar Pancreatic Carcinoma in an Inland Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps): A Case Report

## TL;DR

A bearded dragon was successfully treated for a rare pancreatic tumor, with long-term survival confirmed two years after surgery.

## Contribution

This is the first documented case of successful surgical treatment and long-term survival in a bearded dragon with acinar pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

## Key findings

- Surgical removal of the pancreatic tumor led to gradual recovery and return to normal behavior within three weeks.
- The lizard remained healthy for 20 months post-surgery, with no recurrence of the tumor.
- Histopathology confirmed the tumor as an acinar pancreatic adenocarcinoma with soft tissue infiltration.

## Abstract

This report describes the diagnostic evaluation and therapy of a bearded dragon with an irregular mass within its body cavity. Initially, the eight-year-old lizard was presented with unspecific clinical symptoms (reduced overall condition and reduced forage intake). A round-shaped mass was determined by physical examination. The irregular structure subsequently was visualized by ultrasonography. After two days of stabilization therapy in the clinic, the mass was removed surgically under general anesthesia. The histological examination of the irregular tissue revealed a pancreatic tumor. Neoplasms of the pancreas are rare in lizards, and successful treatment and long-term survival are not commonly reported. The lizard recovered slowly but gradually after the surgical procedure and regained regular forage intake and behavior within three weeks. Long-term survival was confirmed by follow-ups within two years after the surgery.

An adult, 362 g, male, intact inland bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) was admitted to a veterinary clinic due to a temporary cloacal prolapse and a two-week history of reduced overall condition and forage intake. Physical examination revealed an approximately 2 × 1 cm round-shaped, rigid intracoelomic tissue mass. Multiple sand deposits were present on the cloacal mucous membranes, though no signs of cloacal prolapse were present. The lizard was otherwise responsive but showed reduced body tension and movement behavior. Initial fecal examination revealed a high-grade oxyuriasis. A 2 × 1.5 cm sized intracoelomic, well-vascularized, round-shaped mass was subsequently visualized by ultrasonography. After a two-day stabilization therapy, the intracoelomic mass was removed by performing a standard ventral coeliotomy under general anesthesia. Histopathological examination of the excised mass revealed an acinar pancreatic adenocarcinoma with infiltration of the peritumorous connective soft tissue. The lizard remained at the clinic for a further seven days. Its postsurgical condition improved slowly. However, the lizard started regular forage intake 10 days after surgery, and general behavior enhanced constantly within the following three weeks. The animal was presented for a follow-up six weeks after surgery, showing bright and alert behavior with no signs of disease or illness. The lizard was re-examined 20 months after the initial presentation due to a reduced overall condition and reduced food intake. Blood chemistry evaluation revealed markedly decreased protein parameters, and moderate ascites was identified ultrasonographically. A distinct association with the preceding neoplastic disease could not be made, and the lizard returned to its regular condition under supportive therapy within three weeks. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of successful treatment of a pancreatic carcinoma in a bearded dragon.