Apocrine gland adenoma in a 4-month old golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

Hamsters are popular as pets. Although there are many reports on tumours in laboratory hamsters, tumours in pet hamsters are infrequently reported. The present report describes successful diagnosis, treatment and treatment outcome of apocrine gland adenoma, an uncommon cutaneous neoplasm, identified in the ventral neck region of a 4-month old Golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). The initial diagnosis was attempted by cytology. The cytology of benign apocrine glands in hamsters has not been previously described in the literature. Histopathology of the neoplasm was consistent with an apocrine adenoma and positive PAS staining confirmed the secretory nature of the neoplasm. The tumour was surgically excised under local anaesthesia. There was no tumour recurrence or metastasis detected after one year.