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Large felid leucoencephalomyelopathy in a Sumatran tiger ( Panthera tigris sumatrae ) from an Australian zoo
Author(s) -
Hanshaw DM,
McLelland DJ,
Manavis J,
Finnie JW
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/avj.12826
Subject(s) - panthera , ataxia , pathology , zoology , biology , medicine , predation , neuroscience , ecology
Case report The clinicopathological features of a case consistent with large felid leucoencephalomyelopathy are described in a 19‐year‐old, zoo‐based Sumatran tiger in which degenerative vertebral disease, renal insufficiency, diaphragmatic hernia and cataracts were comorbid. The principal presenting sign was ataxia, with concurrent deterioration of vertebral stiffness and vision loss. Histological features included marked destruction of the white matter, the formation of large, bizarre astrocytes and accumulation of numerous foamy macrophages (gitter cells). Immunohistochemical investigation of reactive astrocytes revealed several different cytoplasmic proteins. Conclusion This is the first reported case of large felid leucoencephalomyelopathy in Australia.