CONTRAST-ENHANCED COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC FINDINGS OF APPARENTLY CLINICALLY NORMAL CHEETAH () LIVERS

Authors

Rachel A. Jania, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA, rjania@lsu.edu.
Matthew E. Kinney, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido, CA 92927, USA.
L Abbigail Granger, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2021

Abstract

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in captive cheetahs (), and the appearance of this disease in humans by computed tomography (CT) has been well described. Contrast-enhanced CT abdominal scans of cheetahs without evidence of hepatic disease ( = 5) were reviewed retrospectively to describe the normal appearance of cheetah livers as an aid to antemortem VOD diagnosis. Despite having no clinical signs, clinical pathology abnormalities, or hepatic biopsy histopathology supportive of VOD, all five cheetahs had at least one VOD consistent finding on CT. The results of this study suggest that given the progressive and potentially subclinical nature of VOD, CT could serve as a noninvasive screening tool and be used to monitor disease progression.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians

First Page

320

Last Page

326

Recommended Citation

Jania, R. A., Kinney, M. E., & Granger, L. A. (2021). CONTRAST-ENHANCED COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC FINDINGS OF APPARENTLY CLINICALLY NORMAL CHEETAH () LIVERS. Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, 52 (1), 320-326. https://doi.org/10.1638/2020-0084