RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF MORBIDITIES AND MORTALITIES OF JAGUARS MANAGED (PANTHERA ONCA) IN NORTH AMERICAN ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS, 2003-2023.

Abstract

Previous retrospective studies on common morbidities and mortalities of jaguars (Panthera onca) provided information that led to changes in preventive medicine protocols and proactive medical care.^8,11 However, new disease trends and medical conditions may emerge, change over time, or change location. Medical records from 139 jaguars housed in 35 North American zoological facilities between 2003 and 2023 were reviewed. Common morbidities and mortalities in different age groups were identified. Most morbidities involved the integumentary system (n = 173) in this study population, followed by the digestive (n = 163) and musculoskeletal systems (n = 86). Other notable morbidity findings included presumed exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in four jaguars but with normal pancreas on histopathology, and all degenerative joint diseases (n = 8, 14.5%) and urinary (n = 17, 30.9%), and ocular conditions (n = 10; 7.2%) were found in geriatric jaguars. Renal disease (n = 22) and neoplasia (n = 21) were the leading causes of mortality in this study population. Compared to previous studies, there appeared to be more cases of self-trauma involving the skin (n = 90; 32.3%) in this study population (P = <0.0001), particularly in adult jaguars, but significantly fewer cases of hepatic conditions (n = 4, P = 0.0096). Neoplasia was an important cause of death with ovarian cystadenocarcinoma being more prevalent than mammary adenocarcinoma in this study. As morbidity and mortality trends change, medical and husbandry protocols may need to adjust to manage and decrease the prevalence of medical conditions.