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Published on: August 27, 2019
Systemic calicivirus epidemic in captive exotic felids
Tara M Harrison1, James Sikarskie, John Kruger
1Potter Park Zoo, 1301 South Pennsylvania, Lansing, Michigan 48912, USA. tharriso@ci.lansing.mi.us
Summary
Feline calicivirus (FCV) caused severe tongue and footpad ulcerations in Amur tiger cubs and African lions. A stray cat likely introduced the highly contagious FCV to the facility, leading to cub fatalities.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Virology
- Zoology
Background:
- Atypical, severe oral and footpad lesions were observed in young Amur tigers.
- Similar, though less severe, oral lesions affected adult African lions housed with the tigers.
- Snow leopards in the same facility remained unaffected.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the causative agent of the observed ulcerations in felids.
- To investigate the source and transmission of the infectious agent.
- To understand the clinical progression and mortality associated with the outbreak.
Main Methods:
- Clinical examination of affected Amur tiger cubs and African lions.
- Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) assay for feline calicivirus (FCV) RNA detection in oral secretions and tissues.
- Virus isolation from a stray cat identified as a potential source of infection.
Main Results:
- FCV RNA was detected in oral secretions of affected tiger cubs and one lion.
- FCV was confirmed in multiple tissues of a deceased tiger cub and a deceased lion.
- A stray cat tested positive for FCV, implicating it as the likely source of the outbreak.
- Two tiger cubs and one lion cub died during the outbreak.
Conclusions:
- Feline calicivirus (FCV) caused severe, progressive ulcerations and high mortality in Amur tiger cubs.
- FCV infection presented with variable severity in different felid species.
- A stray cat served as the probable introduction source of FCV into the zoological facility.
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