Open Veterinary Journal

Haemangiosarcoma in a captive Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica)

F. Vercammen^1,*, J. Brandt¹, L. Van Brantegem², L. Bosseler² and R. Ducatelle²

¹Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, K. Astridplein 26, B-2018 Antwerp, Belgium

²Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium

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Abstract

A 2.7-year-old male captive Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) died unexpectedly without preceding symptoms. Gross necropsy revealed liver and lung tumours, which proved to be haemangiosarcomas by histopathology. Some of the liver tumours were ruptured, leading to massive intra-abdominal haemorrhage and death. Haemangiosarcomas are rare in domestic and exotic felids, occurring in skin, thoracic-abdominal cavity and bones. Although these tumours mainly appear to be occurring in older cats, they are sometimes observed in younger animals, as in the present case. This is the first description of haemangiosarcoma in a young Asiatic lion.

Keywords: Asiatic lion, Haemangiosarcoma, Histopathology, Neoplasia, Panthera leo persica.

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Cite this paper:

Vercammen, F., Brandt, J., Van Brantegem, L., Bosseler, L. and Ducatelle, R. 2015. Haemangiosarcoma in a captive Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica). Open Vet. J. 5(1), 52-55.