Unilateral cerebral necrosis resembling feline ischemic encephalopathy in an African lion (Panthera leo)

In November 1996, a 14-yr-old captive male African lion (Panthera leo) had sudden onset of left-sided hemiparesis and mydriasis of the left eye. After 24 hr of supportive care, the lion showed no improvement and was euthanized. At necropsy, the right cerebral hemisphere was diffusely and irregularly swollen and malacic. Histopathology revealed extensive acute necrosis and edema of the portion of the right cerebral hemisphere that received blood from the right middle cerebral artery. Gross and histopathologic cerebral findings resembled those of feline ischemic encephalopathy.