Case Report

Gastric Ollulanus tricuspis infection identified in captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) with chronic vomiting : case report

M.G. Collett, W.E. Pomroy, W.G. Guilford, A.C. Johnstone, B.J. Blanchard, S.G. Mirams
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association | Vol 71, No 4 | a727 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jsava.v71i4.727 | © 2000 M.G. Collett, W.E. Pomroy, W.G. Guilford, A.C. Johnstone, B.J. Blanchard, S.G. Mirams | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 10 July 2000 | Published: 10 July 2000

About the author(s)

M.G. Collett,
W.E. Pomroy,
W.G. Guilford,
A.C. Johnstone,
B.J. Blanchard,
S.G. Mirams,

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Abstract

Gastritis, vomition and weight loss are common in captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). Gastric spiral bacteria (Helicobacter spp.) and the very small, viviparous nematode Ollulanus tricuspis, a stomach worm of cats, are believed to be important causes. Three sibling cheetahs at Wellington Zoo, New Zealand, developed chronic vomiting, diarrhoea and debility. Their parents were both South African-born. Response to antibacterial treatment was poor. Endoscopic examinations revealed chronic lymphoplasmacytic gastritis and Ollulanus infection. Treatment with oxfendazole and pyrantel embonate resulted in clinical improvement; however, 1 cheetah, which died 7 months later as a result of a ruptured liver due to hepatic amyloidosis, still had Ollulanus worms present in her stomach. Ollulanus tricuspis is a significant cause of gastritis and vomiting in captive cheetahs, lions and tigers, as well as wild cougars and tigers. The parasite has not yet been found in sub-Saharan Africa. Because of the unusual characteristics of this parasite, the literature on its life history and techniques for diagnosis is reviewed.

Keywords

Cheetah; Gastritis; Ill-Thrift; Nematoda; Ollulanus Tricuspis; Parasitology; Pathology; Vomiting; Wildlife; Zoological Garden

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