{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Intramural coronary artery and myocardial pathology in captive tigers (Panthera tigris) and African lions (Panthera leo).
{Author}: Makii RL;Muñoz Gutiérrez J;
{Journal}: Vet Pathol
{Volume}: 61
{Issue}: 5
{Year}: 2024 Sep 25
{Factor}: 3.157
{DOI}: 10.1177/03009858241246984
{Abstract}: There is limited published data regarding cardiovascular disease in nondomestic felid populations. To address this knowledge gap, necropsy cases of tigers and lions with representative myocardial samples submitted to a diagnostic laboratory were histologically assessed with hematoxylin and eosin and Sirius red stains. A total of 32 submissions (15 tigers, 17 lions) were identified in a 4-year period. All tigers and lions had some degree of coronary artery lesions in the left ventricle and/or interventricular septum. Major findings included moderate to marked arteriosclerosis in 8 tigers (53%) and 4 lions (24%) and moderate to marked perivascular fibrosis in 10 tigers (67%) and 9 lions (53%). Moreover, 10 tigers (67%) and 8 lions (47%) had coronary artery lesions with variable degrees of perivascular cardiomyocyte degeneration and/or loss. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing coronary artery pathology in captive tigers and lions.