Tyzzer's disease in snow leopards

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Zoological Medicine
• Comparative Pathology

Background:

• Tyzzer's disease is an acute, often fatal, enteric and hepatic disease caused by Clostridium piliformis.
• This disease affects a wide range of mammals, including domestic animals and wildlife.
• Outbreaks in captive exotic felids can have significant conservation implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the histological diagnosis of Tyzzer's disease in snow leopard (Panthera uncia) kittens.
• To describe the gross and histological findings in affected neonates.
• To compare the presentation in snow leopards with that in other species.

Main Methods:

• Histological examination of tissues from affected snow leopard kittens.
• Gross necropsy findings were recorded.
• Lesions were compared to published reports of Tyzzer's disease in other species.

Main Results:

• Histological evidence of Tyzzer's disease was confirmed in two litters of newborn snow leopard kittens.
• Gross and histological lesions were consistent with those previously described in other animal species.
• The dams of the affected kittens showed no clinical signs of illness.

Conclusions:

• This study confirms Tyzzer's disease as a cause of mortality in young snow leopards.
• The findings highlight the susceptibility of snow leopards to this pathogen.
• Further investigation into disease transmission and prevention in snow leopard populations is warranted.