Peritoneal mesothelioma in jaguar (Panthera onca Linnaeus, 1758)

Abstract

Mesotheliomas are malignant neoplasms and cause severe and extensive lesions in the peritoneum, pleura, pericardium and adjacent organs. The present case study discusses the death of a jaguar (Panthera onca) kept under human care in a zoo in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, with an estimated age of 19-years-old. He presented increased abdominal volume, ascites, decreased displacement by the enclosure, inappetence and polydipsia. The patient underwent clinical, laboratory and diagnostic imaging tests and died after a short period of time. The anatomopathological results indicated the diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma, with metastasis in the mesenteric lymph node.