UTERINE ADENOMYOSIS IN SOUTHERN THREE-BANDED ARMADILLOS (TOLYPEUTES MATACUS)

Abstract:  Uterine adenomyosis was diagnosed in five southern three-banded armadillos (Tolypeutes matacus) from four different zoological collections in North America between 1995 and 2012. Two cases were diagnosed after ovariohysterectomy and histopathologic evaluation of the uteri, and the remaining cases were identified incidentally at the time of postmortem examination. Animals ranged from 5 to 14 yr of age at the time of diagnosis. Of armadillos diagnosed before postmortem examination, clinical signs included weakness, collapse, anemia, and vulvar discharge. Histopathologic evaluation of the uteri revealed well-developed, irregular endometrial glands extending into the myometrium and occasional hemorrhage within these glands. The two cases diagnosed antemortem were successfully treated with ovariohysterectomy. To the authors' knowledge, this condition has not been previously reported in Xenarthra, including armadillos.