Endoparasites of the Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)

There have been few reports on the diversity and prevalence of parasitic fauna of the endangered Siberian tiger, which inhabits the territory of the Russian Far East. The present review attempts to summarize the information about the parasitic fauna of wild Siberian tigers, which includes 15 helminths and 3 protozoan species. The most prevalent parasitic species was found to be Toxocara cati, followed by Toxascaris leonina. Another commonly recorded Platyhelminth species is Paragonimus westermani, which causes a lethal infection of the lung parenchyma in Siberian tigers. However, the information about infections by this fluke in the Siberian tigers is scarce, although P. westermani infections pose a serious health hazard to tiger populations. The nematodes Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Thominx aerophilus are found in Siberian tigers with an occurrence rate of 2.3% and 19%, respectively. The information on the parasitic infestations of captive populations of Siberian tigers is also presented along with the sources of infection and hazards for the wild tiger populations in their natural environment.     

Birth of Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) cubs after transvaginal artificial insemination.

A captive 9-yr-old female Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) at the Lisbon Zoo was treated with equine chorionic gonadotropin followed 80 hr later by human chorionic gonadotropin to stimulate follicular development and ovulation, respectively. Forty-one hours after the second hormone administration, the tiger was subjected to transvaginal artificial insemination with diluted fresh semen containing 500 x 10(6) motile spermatozoa obtained from an 8-yr-old male Siberian tiger via electroejaculation. After anesthesia, the female tiger was placed in an inclined position with the hind limbs elevated during and after the insemination and was maintained in this position for 15 min to minimize semen reflux. An anesthetic reversal agent was then administered. After a 103-day gestation, the female gave birth to three apparently healthy cubs that survived 24-48 hr. These results demonstrate that transvaginal artificial insemination can be successfully performed in the Siberian tiger to produce full-term offspring.     

Klinefelter syndrome (39 XXY) in an adult Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica).

Fibroblast cultures of a skin biopsy from an adult intact male Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) revealed an abnormal standard and G-banded karyotype diploid chromosome number of 2n = 39 XXY due to an extra sex chromosome as opposed to the expected 2n = 38 XY. The tiger was euthanatized 1 yr later due to acute multifocal intervertebral disc disease. Histopathology of the reproductive tract demonstrated a paucity of seminiferous tubules and these were devoid of spermatagonia. An increase in fibrous connective tissue was noted in sections of the prostate and epididymis, and expansion of the fibrous interstitium was observed in the testes.     

初配东北虎的繁殖

通过对一对初配东北虎繁殖全过程的总结，即对母虎发情行为、公母虎合笼交配、妊娠判定、产前准备、产后护理、仔虎的生长发育情况的详细观察与分析，为初配东北虎的繁殖提供了有益的借鉴。     

Conservative management of pyothorax in an Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)

Therapy for pyothorax, or pleural empyema, has not been described for large felids. This case describes the successful treatment of pyothorax in a captive, large felid. A 15-yr-old multiparous, female Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) presented with nonspecific clinical signs caused by an insidious onset of pyothorax. Management of pyothorax cases in companion animals often involves thoracostomy tube placement with recurrent drainage of the pleural cavity, intensive supportive care, and monitoring. In this case, conservative management was elected because hospitalization was not a viable option. Thoracocentesis was performed to drain as much fluid from the chest cavity as possible, yielding more than 1.3 L. Corynebacterium sp. and unidentified anaerobic gram-positive cocci were cultured. Treatment included cefovecin subcutaneously, oral antibiotic therapy with clindamycin and marbofloxacin, meloxicam, and restricted exercise by minimizing access to the main exhibit. Significant improvement was noted clinically and radiographically 6 wk later, and no relapses were noted in the following weeks. An examination 11.5 mo later confirmed resolution.     

圈养东北虎FPV感染情况的初步调查与研究

猫泛白细胞减少症是由猫泛白细胞减少症病毒引起的高度接触性传染病,近些年来该病严重影响着我国圈养大型野生猫科动物的健康.至今,国内外对大型野生猫科动物的FPV流行状况研究甚少.鉴于此,本研究分别于2006年11月、2007年2月和2007年7月随机收集62份、36份、45份虎粪便,利用PCR方法对其带病情况进行检测.结果表明,FPV的阳性率分别为54.8%,25%和0.在以上实验研究的基础上,对该圈养大型野生猫科动物群体中FPV的感染带毒情况和流行特点进行了探讨.     

Xylazine-midazolam-ketamine versus medetomidine-midazolam-ketamine anesthesia in captive Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica).

Two alpha2-adrenoceptor agents, xylazine and medetomidine, in combination with midazolam and ketamine safely and effectively immobilized Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica). The medetomidine protocol used smaller drug volumes, and induction and recovery times were shorter. Although cardiopulmonary abnormalities were noted, none were likely to be life threatening.     

Congenital glaucoma in a tiger (Panthera tigris)

Objective

To describe a case of congenital glaucoma in atiger (Panthera tigris).

Animal Studied

An 8-month-old intact female tiger wasreferred for suspected glaucoma of the right eye. The right eye was buphthalmicwith moderate episcleral injection, circumferential superficial cornealneovascularization, moderate corneal edema, and a fixed dilated pupil. Tapetalreflection was absent due to a mature cataract. Rebound tonometry under generalanesthesia revealed 70 mmHg and 21 mmHg in the right and left eye, respectively.

Procedure

A trans-conjunctival enucleation was performedand the globe was submitted for histopathology.

Results

Histopathology revealed a thin sclera, amorphousmaterial contouring an imperforate and hypoplastic iridocorneal angle, ahypoplastic lens with severe anterior-posterior compression, subcapsularepithelial hyperplasia, and Morganian globules, and segmental moderate retinalatrophy. Periodic acid-Schiff stain highlighted segmental dilations of theDescemet's membrane. Masson trichrome stain highlighted a pre-irido collagenmembrane.

Conclusion

The tiger's age and histopathologic findingsare consistent with congenital goniodysgenesis. This is the first known reportof congenital glaucoma in a tiger.     

Continuous lumbar hemilaminectomy for intervertebral disc disease in an Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)

A 13-yr-old Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) was presented for an acute onset of paraplegia. Spinal imaging that included plain radiographs, myelography, and computed tomography performed under general anesthesia revealed lateralized spinal cord compression at the intervertebral disc space L4-5 caused by intervertebral disc extrusion. This extrusion was accompanied by an extensive epidural hemorrhage from L3 to L6. Therefore, a continuous hemilaminectomy from L3 to L6 was performed, resulting in complete decompression of the spinal cord. The tiger was ambulatory again 10 days after the surgery. This case suggests that the potential benefit of complete spinal cord decompression may outweigh the risk of causing clinically significant spinal instability after extensive decompression.     

Disseminated histoplasmosis in a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris)

Disseminated infection with Histoplasma capsulatum was diagnosed in a 7-yr-old female Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris). Clinical signs were nonspecific with the exception of brief periods of tachypnea for 5 days prior to death. H. capsulatum organisms were found in the lungs, tracheobronchial lymph nodes, and liver. Diagnosis was confirmed by tracheal wash, urine H. capsulatum enzyme immunoassay, and necropsy results. This report represents the first published account of disseminated histoplasmosis in a tiger.     

Abdominal pythiosis in a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris).

An adult Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) housed in an outdoor sanctuary in Florida exhibited vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. A clinical workup did not reveal the source of the clinical signs and antibiotic therapy was unrewarding. Radiographs revealed the presence of an abdominal mass. The tiger died during an immobilization for a follow-up clinical examination. A necropsy was performed and tissue samples of intestine and mesenteric lymph nodes were submitted for histopathologic diagnosis. A pyogranulomatous panenteritis and lymphadenitis with intralesional hyphae led to a presumptive etiologic diagnosis of intestinal/abdominal pythiosis. The diagnosis of pythiosis was confirmed by serology and immunoblotting.     

Ovarian activity and pregnancy in the Siberian tiger, Panthera tigris altaica, assessed by fecal gonadal steroid hormones analyses

Feces were collected from two female and one male Siberian tigers, Panthera tigris altaica. Steroid hormones were extracted from lyophilized feces and quantified by enzyme immunoassay. The fecal contents of estradiol-17beta (E(2)) and testosterone in the females and male, respectively, changed markedly throughout the year. The fecal E(2) contents of females Nos. 179 and 238 increased at 26.4 +/- 8.0 and 28.0 +/- 14.2 day intervals, respectively. However, the fecal contents of progesterone (P(4)) in the female kept alone did not change. In contrast, the other female, which was kept with a male, had increased fecal P(4) contents after copulation. The fecal progesterone levels of the pregnant female remained high during her 106-day pregnancy.     

一种东北虎全血DNA抽提的方法

以8只东北虎全血为材料，用CTAB自配细胞裂解液和细胞沉淀液，采用改进的方法提取基因组DNA。结果表明，提取的基因组DNA纯度高，用琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测基因组DNA，主带清晰、无拖尾现象。     

东北虎主要消化腺的组织学研究

通过光镜对东北虎主要几种消化腺的H.E染色石蜡切片进行观察,结果表明,东北虎肝小叶间的结缔组织不发达,小叶的界限不清晰,肝细胞体积较大,核位于细胞一侧,肝细胞多呈索状排列,窦状隙不明显;胰腺外分泌部由腺泡和导管组成,腺泡形状不一,由单层锥状腺上皮细胞组成,胰岛是一些大小不等的细胞团和细胞索,分散于外分泌部之间,胞质染色较外分泌部浅;腮腺为纯浆液腺泡,胞质着色呈嗜酸性,颌下腺是以黏液性细胞为主,含少量的浆液性细胞半月。     

Treatment of leiomyosarcoma in a tiger (Panthera tigris) with stereotactic radiotherapy

A 10‐year‐old male captive tiger (Panthera tigris) developed right‐sided facial asymmetry and enlargement. Computed tomography revealed a destructive mass of the right maxillary bone with right nasal cavity involvement. Histopathology indicated a spindle cell sarcoma. A single fraction of 22 Gy using stereotactic radiotherapy was prescribed. After treatment, the facial conformation returned to normal and the tiger resumed normal behavior. Diagnostics 4 months later indicated severe metastatic disease. Humane euthanasia and necropsy were performed. This is the first case utilizing stereotactic radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer in a tiger.     

Hemorrhagic enterocolitis and death in two felines (Panthera tigris altaica and Panthera leo) associated with Clostridium perfringens type A

Severe hemorrhagic enterocolitis was observed in a Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) and a lion (Panthera leo). Both animals developed acute depression, anorexia, and bloody diarrhea several days before death. Small and large intestines were diffusely congested, edematous, necrotic, and filled with hemorrhagic fluid, and mesenteric lymph nodes were enlarged and congested. Pure and abundant growth of gram-positive bacilli was obtained in culture under anaerobic conditions from the livers of both felines. Identification of highly virulent Clostridium perfringens Type A was based on pathologic lesions, hemolytic patterns, morphologic structure, and polymerase chain reaction. Animal inoculation assays indicated that C. perfringens Type A played an important role in the pathogenesis of both felines.     

Pericardial mesothelioma in a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris).

A 17-year-old Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) presented with dyspnea and tachypnea. Radiographs revealed severe pleural and pericardial effusion, but no obvious mass. During attempts to remove the fluid under anesthesia, the cat developed cardiac tamponade and died. At necropsy, a nodular mass was found at the heart base and was identified as a pericardial mesothelioma. This is the first report of this tumor in any large cat.     

Caudal cervical disc protrusion in a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris).

A young adult male white Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) presented with hindlimb ataxia. Cervical and lumbar myelography revealed a compressive lesion of the cord at C(6-7). Corticosteroid therapy and confinement failed to provide lasting remission of signs. A modified, inverted cone ventral slot decompression was used to remove the fibrous material causing cord compression at C(6-7). Temporary Horner's syndrome and laryngeal paresis developed postsurgically because of excessive tissue retraction. The animal recovered normal ambulatory function 6 wk after surgery.     

Nasopharyngeal myxosarcoma in a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris).

An 18- to 25-yr-old intact female Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) was diagnosed antemortem and postmortem with nasopharyngeal myxosarcoma metastatic to the lung, chronic lymphoplasmacytic otitis media, and lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic stomatitis. Myxosarcomas are rare in domestic animals and seldom metastasize; this tumor has not been previously reported in an exotic felid. Computed tomography of the skull was used during the diagnoses.