EVIDENCE FOR ADRENAL DYSFUNCTION CONTRIBUTING TO PERACUTE MORTALITY SYNDROME IN RED PANDA (AILURUS FULGENS)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Zoological Medicine
• Endangered Species Conservation

Background:

• Red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) face extinction due to habitat loss.
• Managed populations experience unexpected deaths from various diseases.
• A novel syndrome, red panda peracute mortality syndrome, is suspected.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe clinical and postmortem findings in five red pandas with acute death.
• To investigate potential contributing factors, specifically adrenal abnormalities.
• To characterize red panda peracute mortality syndrome.

Main Methods:

• Case series of five red pandas at Brookfield Zoo.
• Clinical sign documentation, postmortem examination, and histology.
• Antemortem adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation tests and electrolyte analysis.

Main Results:

• Abnormal adrenal size and histologic lesions were observed.
• Clinical signs included poor body condition, vomiting, diarrhea, ataxia, and electrolyte imbalances.
• ACTH stimulation tests revealed inappropriately low cortisol and aldosterone levels.

Conclusions:

• Adrenal dysfunction may cause fatal electrolyte disturbances in red pandas.
• Steroid treatment offered temporary improvement but was not curative.
• Further research is crucial to understand this emerging syndrome and adrenal dysfunction in red pandas.