A case of severe heamorrhagic cystitis and proctitis in a leopard (Panthera pardus).

Large felids diseases pose particular challenges in clinical diagnosis because of lack of information on species-specific illnesses and their etiopathology. A 14-year-old female leopard (Panthera pardus) weighing 55.6 kg was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Padova, Italy, after 3 days of progressively severe obtundation, anorexia, and signs of abdominal pain. The animal was chemically restrained and maintenance of anaesthesia was achieved by volatile anaesthetic agent. At clinical examination, the leopard appeared overweight, dehydrated, and abdominal distension as well as bloody vaginal discharge were noticed. Blood sampled was drown from the femoral vein and an intravenous catheter was inserted into the caudal vein to administer intravenous rehydration therapy. The vaginal smear showed high numbers of neutrophils and bacteria. Haematological alterations showed leukocytosis with neutrofilia, lymphopenia and mild thrombocytosis. Serum biochemistry revealed an increase in creatinine (9.15 mg/dL), urea (540 mg/dL) and phosphorus (22.9 mg/dL). Abdominal ultrasonography showed a significantly enlarged bladder and 1.5 L of urine was collected by catheterization. Urinalysis resulted in marked haemoglobinuria. Extremely dilated bladder due to the high urinary volume prevented to perform an accurate ultrasonography of urogenital and gastroenteric apparatus, thus making difficult to express a diagnostic suspect. Prolonged intensive care and therapeutic long-term management were considered not feasible and the leopard was humanely euthanized. At necropsy, a diffuse and severe haemorrhagic cystitis was revealed while kidneys and ureters showed moderate to severe congestion. Similar findings were also noted on rectal mucosa with multifocal to coalescent pattern. All organs were sampled for further histological examinations, which are currently under assessment; nevertheless clinical presentation shows similarity to a previously described extraintestinal Escherichia coli infection in a melanistic leopard [1]. Both cases presented indeed the same hyperacute onset and necropsy results of the urinary tract were common but intestinal involvement was not previously observed. Considering that the prevalence of this condition among feline species is still unknown, this report aims to improve the general knowledge on large felids diseases.