Neurologic lesions in young captive lions associated with vitamin A deficiency

Ataxia and incoordination occurred in 7 lion cubs in a lion park. Postmortem examination of 3 cubs revealed thickened skull bones which compressed the brain and lead to prolapse of the posterior vermis of the cerebellum through the foramen magnum. In 2 of the lions compression of the anterior cervical spinal cord caused marked damage particularly in the dorsal funiculi. In both cubs the central canal of the spinal cord was abnormal being extended laterally. The pathological changes in the bones and the brain together with low liver vitamin A levels lead to a diagnosis of hypovitaminosis A.