The Tsushima leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) is a subspecies of the mainland leopard cat that lives on the small island of Tsushima, Japan. Captive breeding has been attempted in zoos in Japan because only approximately 100 animals remain in the wild and the Tsushima leopard cat is an endangered species. There are very few reports on diseases, including tumours, of this species. We analysed the deaths of 58 Tsushima leopard cats and confirmed that nine had neoplastic disease. The average age at death of the animals with neoplasia was 14 years and tumours were the primary cause of death in all animals. Eight of the nine cases involved primary tumours of the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, tongue and salivary glands, suggesting that Tsushima leopard cats may have a predilection for digestive system tumours. This is the first report of neoplastic disease in the Tsushima leopard cat.

In animals, most cases of systemic amyloidosis are of amyloid A type, and the other types of systemic amyloidoses are rare. This study analyzed systemic amyloidosis in a 15-year-old female Tsushima leopard cat. Amyloid deposits strongly positive for Congo red staining were observed in the arterial walls as well as the interstitium in multiple organs. Mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis with laser microdissection of amyloid deposits identified epidermal growth factor-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1) as a prime amyloidogenic protein candidate. Immunohistochemistry showed that the amyloid deposits were positive for the N-terminal region of EFEMP1. From these results, the present case was diagnosed as EFEMP1-derived amyloidosis. It is the first such case in an animal. EFEMP1-derived amyloidosis in humans has recently been reported as a systemic amyloidosis, and it is known as an age-related venous amyloidosis. The present case showed different characteristics from human EFEMP1-derived amyloidosis, including the amyloid deposition sites and the amyloidogenic region of the EFEMP1 protein, suggesting a different pathogenesis between Tsushima leopard cat and human EFEMP1-derived amyloidosis.

A clonorchiasis case in a captive leopard cat, Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus, was confirmed by ultrasonographic findings and egg morphologies found in the bile juice sample in the Korea. The leopard cat was introduced from the wild habitat of Gyeongsangnam-do, to Cheongju Zoo in Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea in August 2014. Physical examinations were basically performed for quarantine and check-up health. The cat was comparatively good in health except anorexia. The cyst-like bile duct dilation and the increased echogenicity of gall bladder wall and hepatic parenchyma were observed by ultrasonography. Ultrasound-guided needle biopsy was conducted for collecting bile juice and the specimens were observed under light microscope. The numerous small trematode eggs were detected in the bile juice sample of the light microscopy. The eggs were 25-33 (28±3) μm by 18-22 (20±1) μm in size and showed typical characteristics of Clonorchis sinensis egg, i.e., a dominantly developed operculum, shoulder rim and dust-like wrinkles in surface. To treat the liver fluke infection, 20 mg/kg of praziquantel was orally administered only once to the case. Follow-up studies including fecal examinations were conducted during 2 years after treatment. But no more eggs were detected from the case. In the present study, we described the first clonorchiasis case of leopard cat, which was confirmed by ultrasonographic findings and egg morphologies from the bile juice sample in Korea.

Ebstein anomaly is a rare congenital heart disease that has been described in domestic dogs, a meerkat, a pygmy goat, and a lion. An 11-mo-old Tsushima leopard cat presented to Osaka Prefecture University Veterinary Hospital for diagnosis and treatment of right-sided congestive heart failure. Echocardiography showed a dilated right atrium and ventricle with an enlarged tricuspid valve annulus and apical displacement of the tricuspid valve leaflets. The cat was diagnosed with Ebstein anomaly. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this type of congenital heart disease in a Tsushima leopard cat.