Arteriosclerosis in exotic mammals

The type and extent of spontaneous aortic disease is documented in 6 orders of exotic mammals, the Insectivores, Edentates, Rodents, Marsupials, Hyracoides and Tubulidentates. Of the 13 families represented, 4 have never been examined for arteriosclerosis, and significant arterial disease has not been described in 3 others. Aortic disease was found in 38% of the 42 animals. Fatty streaks were found in 26%, fibrous plaques in 19% and atheromatous plaques in 10%. Peculiar, degenerative medial lesions were present in 2 animals, one of which had multiple saccular aneurysms.