Cerebral infarction in red panda (Ailurus fulgens)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Pathology
• Zoological Medicine

Background:

• Cerebral infarction, a serious neurological event, is rarely documented in non-domesticated mammals.
• Red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) are vulnerable animals requiring specific veterinary care.
• Understanding neurological diseases in captive wildlife is crucial for conservation and welfare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the first pathological findings of thrombotic cerebral infarction in a red panda.
• To investigate potential underlying causes and contributing factors to the infarction.
• To evaluate the clinical course and response to treatment.

Main Methods:

• Clinical case presentation and neurological examination.
• Diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests (details not provided in abstract).
• Post-mortem examination (necropsy) including histopathology.

Main Results:

• A 13-year-9-month-old female red panda presented with acute hemiparesis due to thrombotic cerebral infarction.
• Initial improvement with corticosteroid therapy was followed by neurological deterioration and death.
• Necropsy revealed extensive cerebral infarction, severe Aspergillus infections (nasal and pulmonary), and lymphoid atrophy.

Conclusions:

• This case represents the first pathological evidence of thrombotic cerebral infarction in a red panda.
• Corticosteroid therapy may offer temporary clinical improvement for this condition.
• Respiratory Aspergillus infection is a potential co-morbidity associated with cerebral infarction in red pandas.