Mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 in nondomestic felids.

Between September and November 2021, 5 snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and 1 lion (Panthera leo) were naturally infected with severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and developed progressive respiratory disease that resulted in death. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 sequencing identified the delta variant in all cases sequenced, which was the predominant human variant at that time. The time between initial clinical signs and death ranged from 3 to 45 days. Gross lesions in all 6 cats included nasal turbinate hyperemia with purulent discharge and marked pulmonary edema. Ulcerative tracheitis and bronchitis were noted in 4 cases. Histologically, there was necrotizing and ulcerative rhinotracheitis and bronchitis with fibrinocellular exudates and fibrinosuppurative to pyogranulomatous bronchopneumonia. The 4 cats that survived longer than 8 days had fungal abscesses. Concurrent bacteria were noted in 4 cases, including those with more acute disease courses. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was detected by in situ hybridization using probes against SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid genes and by immunohistochemistry. Viral nucleic acid and protein were variably localized to mucosal and glandular epithelial cells, pneumocytes, macrophages, and fibrinocellular debris. Based on established criteria, SARS-CoV-2 was considered a contributing cause of death in all 6 cats. While mild clinical infections are more common, these findings suggest that some SARS-CoV-2 variants may cause more severe disease and that snow leopards may be more severely affected than other felids.

Ingluviotomy tube placement for lead-induced crop stasis in the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus).

Six free-flying California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) were diagnosed with acute lead toxicosis that caused crop distension and stasis. Between January 2006 and January 2007, the birds were referred to the Phoenix Zoo in Arizona for emergency treatment. In 5 birds, an ingluviotomy was performed to place a feeding tube from the crop to the proventriculus, which allowed a temporary bypass of the dysfunctional esophagus until normal function and motility were regained. A crop-support pressure bandage was placed in 4 birds to improve crop emptying into the proventriculus and to prevent crop distension. Although chelation therapy is the gold standard treatment for lead toxicosis, severe cases of lead-induced crop stasis are not acutely reversible with pharmaceuticals. In these condors, placement of a feeding tube was deemed prudent to ensure a viable enteric route of nutritional support during the standard treatment and recovery period in acute lead toxicosis with crop stasis.