Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis, IN 46222, USA,
Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis, IN 46222, USA.
J Zoo Wildl Med. 2024 Sep;55(3):788-794. doi: 10.1638/2023-0085.
Congenital abnormalities in tigers () are infrequently reported but have included ectrodactyly, cataracts, and vestibular disease. Primary hepatic disease has been documented in multiple nondomestic felid species but is considered uncommon in tigers. To the authors' knowledge, there are no previous reports of congenital abnormalities of the liver in tigers. In May 2022, two male Amur tiger cubs () were born at a zoological institution via cesarean section to address dystocia, following the natural birth of a female cub. Between two and six months of age, all three cubs developed progressive lethargy, inappetence, and neurological signs consistent with hepatic encephalopathy, including obtundation and ataxia. In all three cases, serum biochemical values revealed progressive, marked elevations in hepatic enzyme levels with reduction in hepatic synthetic products (albumin, urea, cholesterol). Computed tomographic imaging showed a large cluster of aberrant tortuous vessels craniomedial to the left kidney in all three tigers, consistent with acquired extrahepatic portosystemic shunts. Histologic examination of the livers identified biliary ductal plate malformations. This report details the presentation, clinical findings, diagnoses, and therapeutic interventions attempted in three Amur tiger cubs with biliary ductal plate malformation and subsequent portal hypertension with multiple acquired portosystemic shunts, an unusual abnormality not previously reported in non-domestic felids.
先天性异常在老虎中很少见报道，但包括并指畸形、白内障和前庭疾病。原发性肝病已在多种非 domestic 猫科动物中得到证实，但在老虎中被认为不常见。据作者所知，以前没有关于老虎肝脏先天性异常的报告。2022 年 5 月，两只雄性东北虎幼崽通过剖腹产在一家动物园机构出生，以解决难产问题，此前一只雌性幼崽自然分娩。在 2 到 6 个月大时，所有三只幼崽都出现了进行性嗜睡、食欲不振和与肝性脑病一致的神经症状，包括迟钝和共济失调。在所有三种情况下，血清生化值显示肝酶水平进行性显著升高，同时肝合成产物（白蛋白、尿素、胆固醇）减少。计算机断层扫描成像显示，三只老虎的左肾颅内侧都有一大簇异常扭曲的血管，符合获得性肝外门体分流。肝脏组织学检查发现胆管板畸形。本报告详细介绍了三只东北虎幼崽的表现、临床发现、诊断和尝试的治疗干预措施，这些幼崽患有胆管板畸形和随后的门静脉高压症，伴有多个获得性门体分流，这是一种以前在非 domestic 猫科动物中未报告过的不寻常异常。
