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Hyperlipidemia in four related male cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)
K A Backues1, J P Hoover, J E Bauer
1Oklahoma City Zoo, Oklahoma 73111, USA.
Insights
Four cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) exhibited hyperlipidemia, specifically high triglycerides and cholesterol. This condition involved altered lipoprotein profiles compared to healthy cheetahs, suggesting potential health concerns in these big cats.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Comparative Pathology
- Zoological Medicine
Background:
- Hyperlipidemia, characterized by elevated blood lipid levels, can affect various animal species.
- Understanding lipid profiles in exotic animals like cheetahs is crucial for their health management.
- Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are a vulnerable species, making health studies particularly important.
Observation:
- Hyperlipidemia was diagnosed in four male cheetahs, including an 11-year-old and three 3-year-old littermates.
- The affected cheetahs displayed both hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia.
- Lipoprotein analysis revealed increased chylomicrons and beta-lipoproteins, with decreased alpha-lipoproteins compared to controls.
Findings:
- The cheetahs' hyperlipidemia was marked by significant alterations in lipoprotein percentages.
- These lipid profile changes were statistically different from those of healthy cheetahs.
- The exact cause of hyperlipidemia in these cheetahs remains undetermined.
Implications:
- The findings highlight the occurrence of hyperlipidemia in cheetahs and its specific lipid profile characteristics.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the etiology of hyperlipidemia in cheetahs.
- Identifying and understanding hyperlipidemia in cheetahs can aid in developing targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for conservation efforts.
Abstract:
Hyperlipidemia was identified in an 11-yr-old male cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and three related 3-yr-old male cheetah littermates. Hyperlipidemia in these four cheetahs was characterized by hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia. The mean percentages of chylomicron and beta-lipoproteins were greater (P < 0.05) and the mean percent of alpha-lipoproteins was lower (P < 0.05) than the respective means for a group of 20 nonhyperlipidemic and clinically normal cheetahs. The etiology of the hyperlipidemia in these four cheetahs was not determined. However, the older cheetah also had chronic renal insufficiency and a parathyroid adenoma, conditions that have been associated with hyperlipidemia.