Newton Sparks, [28 Feb 2023 at 06:29:42]: I am sending some info on a cheetah I saw with jaundice. Any idea about cause of jaundice?? Can't see Babesia or Mycoplasma hemofelis but can be tricky to see sometimes. The Ht of 35 doesn't fit. Summary: Jaundice, lethargic, not eating, drinking poorly, temperature normal 38 haematocrit 35, only few neutrophils on urine sediment SG 1.018. No blood parasites on blood smear but A LOT of platelets. No real increase in white blood cells on blood smear. Ultrasound of the abdomen showed a slightly hyperechoeic liver but no tumours were seen. The animal was covered 3 weeks earlier, but no pyometra demonstrated. Adrian Tordiffe, [28 Feb 2023 at 10:59:12]: The cheetah has renal failure. The urine SG needs to be above 1,050 in a healthy cheetah. I see the serum creatinine is not recorded (too high?). Both BUN and Phosphate are high. Henry Labuschagne, [28 Feb 2023 at 11:22:12]: I agree. CRI, dehydration and possible fatty liver. Ultrasound of kidneys? Adrian Tordiffe, [28 Feb 2023 at 12:07:02]: I also think many of these captive cheetahs have a chronic small intestinal bacterial overgrowth which can lead to cholangiohepatitis Unfortunately your prognosis in this case is probably poor. Rehydration with 2-3 litres of Ringers Lactate, give Amoxyclav bid for 5 to 7 days, phosphate binders and Cerenia for the nausea. Ampie Viljoen, [28 Feb 2023 at 12:41:18]: How old is this patient, Newton? Is there any neurological signs? Haemoglobinuria? I agree 100% on renal disease, but it would be nice to classify the icterus. Henry Labuschagne, [28 Feb 2023 at 12:45:54]: I would also add Kyro B+ liver, Tioctan Vet and Essentiale to Tx. Last of Iran’s endangered Asiatic cheetah cubs in captivity dies Authorities announce death of cub named Pirouz from kidney failure at veterinary hospital in Tehran Newton Sparks, [28 Feb 2023 at 21:10:55]: Sorry, I was in quite a hurry when I posted this. I agree with the kidney failure (the animal was quite dehydrated when we collected urine and even then SG was still at 1.018). Kidneys on Ultrasound showed fairly little cortex. I was wondering about the cause of icterus as Ampie said. Henry, would fatty liver formation be possible in an animal with chronic kidney failure? Adrian, Would you not expect some liver enzyme increase in case of cholangiohepatitis? The animal is only about 8 years, no haemoglobinuria or neurological signs. I agree with very poor prognosis. Henry Labuschagne, [28 Feb 2023 at 22:37:46]: Cats with renal failure stop eating and that leads to hepatic lipidosis. Adrian Tordiffe, [01 Mar 2023 at 07:38:41]: Yes, liver enzymes would be raised and you would expect an elevated WCC in the case of cholangiohepatitis. Key would be to determine if there is any haemolysis (regenerative anaemia) or is there some obstruction to bile flow. But all that is probably irrelevant in the face of the CRI I had a very similar case recently (cheetah with CRI and icterus), but that cheetah had a severe thrombocytopenia. PCR negative for Babesia. Responded well to several days of doxycycline and repeated subcut/intravenous fluids. Good temporary improvement, but the CRI will cause it to crash again in the next few weeks to months. Peter Rogers, [01 Mar 2023 at 07:59:25]: CRI is commonly as a result of renal amyloidosis precipitated by chronic gastritis which is very common in certain captive cheetah facilities. There was a centre in the UAE where I was consulting which had more than 50 cheetahs - the parent stock originated from SA. They lost every cheetah to this syndrome. You can treat them symptomatically and they respond well but soon go down again. The amyloidosis is related to an infectious protein - a “prion” much like in Mad Cow Disease and once it’s on your property it’s there forever. These cheetahs were fed chickens and an article was written linking some vaccine given to these chickens with amyloidosis - I will see if I can find it and send it to you. The other thing one must look out for is renal failure due to NSAID residues in the meat fed to these animals - a centre that I work with lost in excess of 20 cheetahs due to this! Please send me your email address and I can send you some additional info on renal amyloidosis in cheetahs. Adrian Tordiffe, [01 Mar 2023 at 08:12:50]: Yes Peter, renal/hepatic amyloidosis is an important consideration. I would just add a few points. 1) Most cases of CRI in cheetahs are caused by chronic fibrosis and not amyloid deposits 2) Even though prion-like transmission of amyloidosis is possible, there is no real epidemiological evidence that this happens. 3) Emily Mitchell's PhD research showed no association between gastritis and renal amyloidosis in cheetahs. 4) Here : https://youtu.be/ow9nNed794E I present some other hypotheses on potential nutritional causes of CRI in cheetahs. Roy Bengis, [01 Mar 2023 at 09:39:59]: Just a shot in the dark. With hepato-renal involvement, has Leptospirosis been ruled out? Newton Sparks, [01 Mar 2023 at 18:54:03]: Regarding the yellow cheetah: Thanks guys - quite interesting. Leptospirosis certainly possible as well, Roy
