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Cardiac osteochondrolipoma in a cheetah
Jeong-Seop Oh1,2, Na-Young Lee1,2, Eun Jung3
1Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Summary
A cheetah died from bronchopneumonia, with autopsy revealing splenic myelolipomas and amyloidosis. A rare cardiac osteochondrolipoma was also found, a condition previously unreported in cheetahs.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Comparative Oncology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are susceptible to various health issues, including respiratory and systemic diseases.
- Cardiac tumors are rare in cheetahs, with limited data on their occurrence and impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a novel case of cardiac osteochondrolipoma in a cheetah.
- To describe the pathological findings associated with the cause of death and incidental findings.
Main Methods:
- Necropsy and histopathological examination of a deceased 13-year-old captive female cheetah.
- Identification of bacterial bronchopneumonia, splenic myelolipomas, systemic amyloidosis, and a cardiac mass.
Main Results:
- Bacterial bronchopneumonia was the primary cause of death.
- A unique cardiac osteochondrolipoma, composed of mature adipocytes with osseous and cartilaginous elements, was identified in the right atrial wall.
- Splenic myelolipomas, systemic amyloidosis, and hepatic congestion indicative of right heart failure were also noted.
Conclusions:
- This case represents the first documented instance of cardiac osteochondrolipoma in a cheetah.
- While bronchopneumonia was the primary cause of death, the cardiac mass may have contributed to the fatal outcome.
- Further investigation into cardiac pathologies in cheetahs is warranted.
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