Suspected lead poisoning in two captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) in South Africa, in 2008 and 2013
Date
2015-08
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS Publishing
Abstract
Whilst lead poisoning in raptors, scavenging birds and waterfowl is well studied and
common knowledge, there is surprisingly little literature detailing the risk to mammalian
scavengers and captive carnivores fed hunted meat. This case report describes the death of
two captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) following acute onset of nervous symptoms.
Clinical signs included hyper-excitability, seizures, arched back, tail held abnormally high
and hyper-salivation. Necropsy findings included bullets or a bullet in their stomachs. Kidney
and liver lead levels from one cheetah (15.6 ppm and 17 ppm respectively) were consistent
with a diagnosis of lead poisoning; liver from the second cheetah was not available for testing.
Both animals were routinely fed hunted antelope or game birds. This is the first report of oral
lead poisoning in captive large carnivores, although these are unlikely to be the first cases.
Without awareness of the risks of feeding hunted game, lead exposure will continue to be an
underdiagnosed reality in the rehabilitation of endangered carnivores.
Description
CITATION: North, M. A. et al. 2015. Suspected lead poisoning in two captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) in South Africa, in 2008 and 2013. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 86(1), Art. #1286, doi:10.4102/jsava.v86i1.1286.
The original publication is available at http://www.jsava.co.za
The original publication is available at http://www.jsava.co.za
Keywords
Cheetahs, Lead poisoning, Acinonyx jubatus jubatus
Citation
North, M. A. et al. 2015. Suspected lead poisoning in two captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) in South Africa, in 2008 and 2013. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 86(1), Art. #1286, doi:10.4102/jsava.v86i1.1286.