CONTRAST-ENHANCED COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC FINDINGS OF APPARENTLY CLINICALLY NORMAL CHEETAH (ACINONYX JUBATUS) LIVERS
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Published on: March 24, 2023
Rachel A Jania1, Matthew E Kinney2, L Abbigail Granger3
1Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA, rjania@lsu.edu.
Insights
Computed tomography (CT) scans reveal findings consistent with hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) in cheetahs, even without clinical signs. This suggests CT can be a valuable tool for early VOD detection and monitoring in cheetahs.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Radiology
- Comparative Pathology
- Zoological Medicine
Background:
- Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a major cause of illness and death in captive cheetahs.
- Computed tomography (CT) findings of VOD in humans are well-documented.
- Non-invasive diagnostic methods for cheetah VOD are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the normal appearance of cheetah livers using contrast-enhanced CT.
- To establish baseline CT imaging for diagnosing VOD in cheetahs.
- To evaluate CT as a tool for early VOD detection in cheetahs.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of contrast-enhanced CT abdominal scans.
- Analysis of scans from five cheetahs without clinical or histopathological evidence of liver disease.
- Evaluation for findings consistent with VOD.
Main Results:
- All five cheetahs exhibited at least one CT finding suggestive of VOD.
- These findings were present despite the absence of clinical signs, abnormal clinical pathology, or supportive histopathology.
- CT can reveal subclinical VOD indicators.
Conclusions:
- Normal cheetah liver CT appearance requires careful interpretation due to potential VOD findings.
- CT may serve as a non-invasive screening tool for VOD in cheetahs.
- CT can aid in monitoring VOD progression in cheetahs.
Abstract:
Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), and the appearance of this disease in humans by computed tomography (CT) has been well described. Contrast-enhanced CT abdominal scans of cheetahs without evidence of hepatic disease (n = 5) were reviewed retrospectively to describe the normal appearance of cheetah livers as an aid to antemortem VOD diagnosis. Despite having no clinical signs, clinical pathology abnormalities, or hepatic biopsy histopathology supportive of VOD, all five cheetahs had at least one VOD consistent finding on CT. The results of this study suggest that given the progressive and potentially subclinical nature of VOD, CT could serve as a noninvasive screening tool and be used to monitor disease progression.
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