Journal of Threatened Taxa |
www.threatenedtaxa.org | 14 December 2020 | 12(16): 17235–17244
ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893
(Print)
doi: https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5676.12.16.17235-17244
#5676 | Received 02 January 2020 | Final
received 20 July 2020 | Finally accepted 09 August 2020
Anaesthetic, clinical,
morphometric, haematological, and serum chemistry evaluations of an Andean Cat Leopardus jacobita
(Cornalia, 1865) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae)
before release in Bolivia
L. Fabián Beltrán-Saavedra
1, Rolando Limachi Quiñajo
2, Grace Ledezma 3, Daniela
Morales-Moreno 4 & M.
Lilian Villalba 5
1 Wildlife Conservation Society, Programa de Conservación del Gran
Paisaje Madidi, Tambopata,
La Paz Casilla 3-35181, Bolivia.
2,3,4 Vesty Pakos
Municipal Zoo, Wildlife Conservation and Management Area, La Paz Av. La Florida
s/n, Bolivia.
1,5 Andean Cat Alliance, Bolivia.
1 fbeltran@wcs.org (corresponding
author), 2 limachirolando@gmail.com, 3 amzeled@gmail.com,
4 da.moralesmoreno@gmail.com,
5 lilianvi@gmail.com
Editor: Angie Appel,
Wild Cat Network, Bad Marienberg, Germany. Date of publication: 14 December
2020 (online & print)
Citation: Beltrán-Saavedra,
L.F., R.L. Quiñajo, G. Ledezma,
D. Morales-Moreno & M.L. Villalba (2020). Anaesthetic, clinical,
morphometric, haematological, and serum chemistry evaluations of an Andean Cat Leopardus jacobita
(Cornalia, 1865) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae)
before release in Bolivia. Journal of
Threatened Taxa 12(16): 17235–17244. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5957.12.16.17235-17244
Copyright: © Beltrán-Saavedra
et al. 2020. Creative Commons Attribution
4.0 International License. JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and
distribution of this article in any medium by providing adequate credit to the
author(s) and the source of publication.
Funding: The Vesty Pakos Zoo supported cat maintenance and clinical laboratory and drug costs. The Andean cat Alliance supported with camera traps to observe
the individual into the enclosure.
Competing interests: The authors
declare no competing interests.
Author details: L.
Fabián Beltrán-Saavedra is a wildlife health
researcher and his areas of interest are health evaluations and parasitic
ecology in mammals and birds, combining veterinary and biological sciences,
focused to conservation of wildlife. Rolando Limachi Quiñajo works as a Veterinary Doctor supporting
wildlife rescue centers and his areas of interest are clinical, clinical
pathology, surgery and epidemiology of wildlife diseases.Grace Ledezma Encinas is a biologist and her main areas of interest are
research on wildlife trafficking, rehabilitation and conservation of threatened
species. Daniela
Morales Moreno is a biologist and her main areas of interest are animal
welfare and animal behavior. M. Lilian Villalba
has been a member of the Andean Cat Alliance, a multinational network devoted
to Andean cat conservation over the four range countries, since its creation in
1999. She has been developing, participating and collaborating in research
projects, training and education aimed to contribute to the knowledge and
conservation of the Andean cat and its habitat in Bolivia.
Author contributions: LFBS performed study design and
chemical immobilizations, analyzed clinical, physiological and chemical
immobilization data, and prepared the manuscript. RLQ performed the study design, physical and
chemical immobilizations, obtained samples and clinical data, supplemented the
manuscript. GL performed the study
design, obtained biometric data, supplemented the manuscript. DM obtained and analyzed biometric data,
supplemented the manuscript. MLV
analyzed biometric data, supplemented the manuscript
Acknowledgements: We thank Andrea Morales for
valuable comments on the first version of this manuscript. Daniela Ticona
Nacho kindly created the schematic drawing of biometrics in Figure 1. Omar Torrico
provided the photograph of the Andean Cat in Image 1 and 2. We are grateful for the logistic support
provided by Alvaro Quispe, Daniel Flores, Fortunato Choque, Francisco Quispe, Emerson
Alanoca, Herminia Flores, Johel
Rocha, Johnny Nina, Johny Sirpa,
Jorge Poma, Mario Mamani, Milton Quispe,
Rufina Callisaya, and Santiago Mamani. We are grateful to Angie Appel and to the
anonymous reviewers for the improvement of this manuscript. This study was carried out according to the
administrative Resolution VMABCC # 34/15 given to Vesty
Pakos Zoo by the General Directorate of Biodiversity
and Protected Areas of the Bolivian Ministry of the Environment and Water.
Abstract: The Andean Cat Leopardus jacobita,
one of the most rare and endangered feline species in the world, is distributed
from central Peru to central Argentina.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the health and morphometry of a
subadult male Andean Cat that was rescued from wildlife trade in Bolivia and
held captive for 165 days before being released back into its natural
habitat. Physical immobilizations
followed by anaesthesia using ketamine hydrochloride (KH) and xylazine
hydrochloride (XH) were performed to obtain clinical, morphometric,
haematological and serum chemical parameters.
Physical immobilizations were efficient using capture nets. The combination of KH + XH had an average
initial sedation effect within 12min with a range of 10–16 min after
intramuscular application. Anaesthetic
average plane lasted 41.7min with a range of 40–45 min and was extended to
64.5min (63–66 min range) with an addition of KH. The individual was underweight on arrival and
gradually reached an ideal condition and was overweight before its
release. Morphometry parameters showed
that it grew during the captive period.
It was released back into the wild when it was considered healthy. This is the first report of a protocol of
physical and chemical immobilization, physiological values, and biometric variation
of an Andean Cat under captive conditions.
Keywords: Anaesthesia, biometry,
immobilization, health evaluation, physiology, small wild cat, South America.
Resumen: El Gato
Andino Leopardus jacobita, una de las especies de felinos más raras y amenazadas
del mundo, se distribuye desde el centro de Perú hasta el centro de Argentina.
El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar
la salud y la morfometría
de un Gato Andino macho subadulto que fue rescatado del tráfico de fauna silvestre en Bolivia y mantenido en cautiverio
durante 165 días antes de ser liberado de nuevo en su hábitat
natural. Se realizaron
inmovilizaciones físicas seguidas de anestesia utilizando clorhidrato de ketamina (HK) y clorhidrato de xilacina (HX) para obtener parámetros clínicos, morfométricos, hematológicos y químicos séricos. Las inmovilizaciones
físicas fueron eficientes utilizando redes de captura. La combinación de
HK + HX tuvo un efecto sedante inicial promedio dentro de 12min con un rango de 10–16 min después de la aplicación intramuscular.
El promedio del plano
anestésico duró 41.7 min
con un rango de 40–45 min y se extendió
a 64.5 min (rango de 63–66 min) con una adición de HK. El individuo llegó con una condición
corporal de bajo peso, gradualmente alcanzó una condición
ideal y sobrepeso antes de su
liberación. Los parámetros
de morfometría mostraron
que creció durante el período de cautiverio. Se liberó de nuevo
al medio silvestre cuando fue considerado saludable. Este es el primer informe de un protocolo de inmovilización física y química, valores fisiológicos y variación biométrica de un Gato Andino en
condiciones de cautiverio.
Palabras clave: América del sur, anestesia, biometría, evaluación de salud, felinos silvestres pequeños, fisiología, inmovilización.
INTRODUCTION
The Andean Cat Leopardus
jacobita is one of the rarest feline species in
the world and the most threatened in America (Andean Cat Alliance 2011). The species is classified as Endangered and
is threatened by loss and degradation of habitat, opportunistic
or palliative hunting and extremely low genetic diversity (Cossíos
et al. 2012; Villalba et al. 2016). In Bolivia’s Red List Species Book, it is
listed as Critically Endangered, as it is threatened by hunting, fragmentation
and alteration of habitat and by declining prey populations (Villalba et al. 2009).
The
species is distributed from central Peru to central Argentina (Sorli et al. 2006; Cossíos et al.
2007; Novaro et al. 2010). In Bolivia, its presence was confirmed in the
high Andean region of the departments of Potosí in southwestern Bolivia, of
Oruro and Cochabamba in the central Andes of Bolivia and of La Paz in western
Bolivia (Villalba et al. 2012; Huaranca
et al. 2013).
To
our knowledge, there is no published information on haematology,
serum chemistry and clinical values of the Andean Cat. According to phylogenetic studies, the
closest related species to the Andean Cat is the Pampas Cat Leopardus
colocola (Johnson et al. 2006), for which only
isolated data on chemical immobilization, clinical parameters and haematology in one free-ranging individual are available (Beltrán-Saavedra et al. 2009). To date, morphometric information on Andean
Cats is scarce, because most of the data correspond to measurements of museum
skins, and just a few live individuals were measured (Pine et al. 1979; Yensen & Seymour 2000; García-Perea
2002; Noss et al. 2010; Tellaeche
et al. 2018).
The
aim of this study was to evaluate an anaesthetic
protocol and determine clinical, morphometric, haematological
and serum chemistry parameters, and their variations in an Andean Cat rescued
from wildlife trade. The animal was kept
in captivity at the Vesty Pakos
Zoo in La Paz, Bolivia, prior to being relocated to its natural habitat.
Study area
The Vesty Pakos Zoo in the Municipal
Autonomous Government of La Paz is a wildlife custody centre
legally established and recognized by the National Environmental Authority,
through administrative Resolution VMABCC # 34/15. It is located in La Paz city (-16.572°S &
-68.083°W) at an elevation of 3,265m, with an extension of 201,522.15m2. On 15 March 2016, a subadult male Andean Cat
was handed over by the La Paz Department Authority to the Vesty
Pakos Zoo, which maintained the feline in temporary
quarantine for 165 days. The animal was
visually isolated from humans, and environmental enrichment was applied until
it was considered healthy for release.
This study was carried out on the basis of five evaluations, the details
and dates of each are presented in Table 2.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
On
arrival of the individual, Ixodidae ticks were
removed from the edges of the ears, and through the coproparasitological
enrichment technique faeces analyses were performed,
finding eggs of nematodes of the order Strongylida
(parasitic load 2 eggs/g faeces). The Andean Cat was dewormed with a
broad-spectrum anthelmintic (Oralmec Gold, ivermectin
1mg/g, pyrantel pamoate 80mg/g, praziquantel 35mg/g, Biomont
S.A. Peru; ivermectin 0.2 mg/kg, pyrantel pamoate 16mg/kg, praziquantel 7mg/kg
oral route). Subsequent coproparasitological faeces analyses
remained negative for endoparasites.
Every day, the animal was observed using a remote camera (GoPro Hero 4,
GoPro Inc., USA) and a digital camera (Nikon D5200, 300 mm lens, Nikon Corp.
Japan). Various postures adopted by the
animal were photographed to evaluate its attitude, bilateral symmetry,
appearance, conformation, body condition, tail movements, motor activity,
breathing, among others, that indicate possible abnormalities compatible with
pathological signs. Inspections of
fluids, urine or secretions were carried out during cleaning and environmental
enrichment events.
During
the captive period, the Andean Cat was fed every day for the first four weeks
with a diet composed of live Guinea Pigs Cavia
porcellus (595g average; diet proportion: 95.1%)
and mice (30.7g average; diet proportion 4.9%), providing the mice once a
week. Thereafter, to simulate natural
conditions of feeding and because of its low activity inside the enclosure, the
cat was fed every other day with a diet of red meat (600g average; diet
proportion: 25.5%), heart (550g average; diet proportion: 23.4%) and live
Guinea Pigs (800g average; diet proportion: 51.1%); this last item was provided
once a week.
Physical and chemical immobilization
The Andean Cat was captured on two occasions with a
106.7 x 38.1 x 50.8 cm folding cage trap (Tomahawk Live Trap Co., USA)
following free-ranging capture methodologies (Beltrán-Saavedra
et al. 2009). On the following three
occasions, the individual was captured with a capture net and immediately
covered with cloth to minimize stress.
Chemical immobilization was performed with a
combination of dissociative anaesthesia ketamine hydrochloride (KH) (Ketamine
10%, 100mg/ml, Alfasan International B.V., The Netherlands;
10mg/kg intra-muscular [i/m] route) and the muscle
sedative-relaxant xylazine hydrochloride (XH) (Xilazine
2%, 20mg/ml, Alfasan International B.V., The
Netherlands; 1–2 mg/kg i/m). This
combination was administered with a hand syringe in the posterior extremity
musculature, with the animal covered with cloth until the pharmacological
effect was achieved. The veterinary staff remained silent during this
time. If drug supplementation was
necessary, only KH was used. We did not
use any antagonist, as the individual was kept in all occasions in a Kennel
cage of 55.9 x 35.6 x 35.6 cm covered with cloth during the recovery
phase. After it woke up and was able to
stand, its pupillary response to light and motor coordination was evaluated
before it was released into the enclosure and after the last evaluation, into
the wild.
Clinical and morphometric evaluations
Clinical
evaluations of the Andean Cat’s body condition and physical state were
performed using the 9 points-Body Condition Score, according to which 1–3
points are considered “underweight”, 4–5 “ideal”, 6–7 “overweight” and 8–9
“obese” (Laflamme 1997 in Santarossa
et al. 2017). Temperature, heart and
respiratory rates were also determined (MedArks
register: ISIS, 12101 Johnny Cake Rd., Apple Valley, MN 55124, USA).
Morphometric
parameters were obtained according to previous publications (Emmons 1999;
García-Perea 2002; Yensen
& Seymour 2000; Noss et al. 2010; Tellaeche et al. 2018) and our own elaborated guide (Table
1; Figure 1). On the first four evaluations, measurements and body weight were
recorded, and on the fifth evaluation only body weight was obtained as the
individual was on the way to being released.
The
individual was weighed with a digital scale (Inmobiliaria
y Constructora TOR S.A. de C.V., San Nicolas MR 66480
México) to the nearest 0,001kg. Body
measurements were obtained using a digital vernier
caliper (Truper S.A. de C.V., Jilotepec
MX 54240 México) to the nearest 0.1mm; and a measure tape and a ruler to the
nearest 0.1cm. The increase in body size
was calculated from the difference of the last measurement made for each
parameter in relation to the first one; and considering that the tail is one of
the most relevant characteristics for the identification of the species (Cossíos et al. 2007), the proportion of tail length in
relation to body length was calculated.
Following
García-Perea (2002) criteria regarding age, the
parameters of head and body length (HBL) and tail length (TL), were also used
to verify the initial determination of the individual’s age as a subadult,
which was based on its size and overall appearance.
Biometric
data were compared to all available bibliographic data on the species (Table
1).
Blood collection, haematological
and serum chemistry evaluations
Before
haematological and serum chemistry evaluations, the
individual had a 12-hour fasting period.
On the first three chemical immobilizations, blood samples of the
cephalic vein were collected, keeping 4ml in tubes with ethylenediaminetetraacetic
acid (EDTA) for haematology studies, and 3ml in tubes
without additives for serum chemistry. Haematological and serum chemistry parameters were
determined in a commercial laboratory (Laboratorio Clínico Científico, La Paz,
Bolivia) two hours after blood sampling.
RESULTS
Protocol of physical and chemical immobilization
The
first two physical immobilizations with folding cage traps allowed the capture
of the Andean Cat individual. On the
third occasion, it avoided entering the cage, so that a capture net was used,
allowing to reduce the time between the capture and the application of the anaesthetic drug.
The
combination of KH + XH had an average effect within 12min (range of 10–16 min),
after intramuscular (i/m) application to the start of
sedation; the average duration of the anaesthetic
plane was 41.7 min (range of 40–45 min); and when HK had to be added, it lasted
on average 64.5min (range of 63–66 min) (Table 2; Images 1 and 2).
Clinical and morphometric evaluations
Clinical
evaluations showed that the individual arrived with underweight (first weight=
4.100kg). Between the evaluation II and IV, it was judged to have an ideal body
weight, reaching 5.946kg at the evaluation V, when it was considered
overweight. The Andean Cat increased
1.846kg during the captive period before it was released back into the wild
(Table 2).
The
individual had the following dental formula: incisors= 3/3; canines= 1/1;
pre-molars= 2/2; and molars= 1/1. Also, between the evaluations I and IV, a
small dental wear was observed in the UCL.
Morphometric
parameters obtained from the individual in the first four evaluations are
presented in Table 4, establishing changes in some parameters; these are
compared with those reported by other authors.
In the measurement of HBL and TL, the tail represented 57.4% of the
total body length upon arrival and gradually increased to 58.1%.
The
measurements of HBL and TL taken in the evaluations I to IV were within the
range of measurements taken for subadults (Table 4). Therefore, when the Andean Cat was released
into the wild, it was still considered to have been in this age category.
Haematological and
serum chemical evaluations
Haematological and serum
chemistry parameters obtained from the first three immobilizations are reported
in Table 5.
DISCUSSION
The
present work reports for the first time a protocol of chemical immobilization, haematological and serum chemistry parameters of a healthy
Andean Cat individual; and contributes to the morphometry of the species.
Protocol of physical and chemical immobilization
In
this study, the individual “learned” not to enter the cage trap, and the use of
capture nets proved to be a more appropriate method of physical immobilization
in a closed environment.
Chemical
immobilization of other feline species such as Bobcat Lynx rufus, Guigna Leopardus guigna,
Ocelot L. pardalis, and Pampas Cat suggest the
use of ketamine and xylazine on doses ranging from 7.65–14.7 mg/kg KH and
0.74–1.4 mg/kg XH (Beltrán & Tewes
1995; Acosta et al. 2007; Tellaeche et al. 2020). For this individual Andean Cat under captive
conditions, however, we had a good and safe 40 minutes sedation period using a
dose of 8.68mg/kg KH and 1.74mg/kg XH.
Clinical and morphometric evaluations
The
Andean Cat was considered underweight on the evaluation I of its body
condition, which may be related to its natural condition of being a wild
subadult individual (García-Perea 2002), and a
presumable four-day fasting period prior to its arrival at the Vesty Pakos Zoo. Subsequently, its body condition was judged
ideal and within ranges of 4.0–5.8 kg recorded for the species by García-Perea (2002), Villalba et al.
(2004), and Tellaeche et al. (2018). At the evaluation V, it was judged
overweight, which was probably the effect of a low energy expenditure, and also
by medical and nutritional care given during captive conditions.
Although
hypothermia and hyperthermia are considered common adverse effects of chemical
immobilizations of wild felids (e.g., Tellaeche et
al. 2020), the Andean Cat showed none, probably because it was not too stressed
prior to anaesthetic injection and because it was
kept warm using hot-water bottles wrapped in cloth during procedures.
During
sedation, heart and respiratory rates higher than the averages were initially
recorded (129.7/min y 36.2/min respectively), possibly due to capture stress,
which stabilized during the course of the sedations. Similar records were observed in a
free-ranging wild Pampas Cat (Beltrán-Saavedra et al.
2009).
The
cat’s tail length ratio to the body length (58.1%) was slightly lower (60–75%)
than those obtained of free-ranging adult Andean Cats (Yensen
& Seymour 2000; García-Perea 2002), and from
skins (66–75%) of this species (Cossíos et al.
2007). Its body measurements, however,
were similar or within the ranges reported for the species (Yensen
& Seymour 2000; García-Perea 2002; Tellaeche et al. 2018).
We report measurements of testis length of an Andean Cat for the first
time. For further morphological
measurements, we suggest to evaluate both left and right size of canines and
testicles to identify the existence of possible asymmetries.
Haematological and
serum chemical evaluations
In
the evaluation I, the haematological values of red
blood cells, mean cell haemoglobin concentration
(MCHC), eosinophils, basophils and lymphocytes obtained were all within the
reference ranges of Domestic Cats, free-ranging and captive Ocelots
(International Species Information System 2002; Aiello & Moses 2016; Widmer
et al. 2016), and similar to those reported in a free-ranging Pampas Cat
(Beltran-Saavedra et al. 2009). On the
other hand, haemoglobin values obtained by
Beltran-Saavedra et al. (2009) presented slightly superior variations in
relation to the reference ranges of Domestic Cats and free-ranging Ocelots, but
they were within the ranges of those of captive Ocelots. In the evaluation II, the values obtained of
MCHC, eosinophils, basophils and lymphocytes and haemoglobin
were all within the reference ranges of Domestic Cats, free-ranging and captive
Ocelots (International Species Information System 2002; Aiello & Moses
2016; Widmer et al. 2016), and similar to those reported in a free-ranging
Pampas Cat (Beltran-Saavedra et al. 2009).
The value of red blood cells, however, was lower than those reported in
Domestic Cats, free-ranging and captive Ocelots and a free-ranging Pampas Cat
(Beltran-Saavedra et al. 2009), but not related to physiological and
morphological abnormalities of the red series.
In the evaluation III, the values obtained of red blood cells, MCHC,
eosinophils, basophils and lymphocytes were all within the reference ranges of
Domestic Cats, free ranging and captive Ocelots (International Species
Information System 2002; Aiello & Moses 2016; Widmer et al. 2016), and in a
free-ranging Pampas Cat (Beltran-Saavedra et al. 2009). On the other hand, haemoglobin
values showed slightly superior variations in relation to the reference ranges
of Domestic Cats and free-ranging Ocelots, but they were within the ranges of
captive Ocelots.
The
values of white blood cells, bands, neutrophils and monocytes obtained in
evaluations I to III were within the ranges of Domestic Cats and captive
Ocelots (International Species Information System 2002; Aiello & Moses
2016). All these values were similar to those reported in a free-ranging Pampas
Cat and in free-ranging Ocelots (Beltrán-Saavedra et
al. 2009; Widmer et al. 2016). In
contrast, haematocrit values in all three evaluations
were within the reference ranges of Domestic Cats, but showed little variations
with respect to those of free-ranging and captive Ocelots, and those of a
free-ranging Pampas Cat.
On
the other hand, the values of mean cell volume (MCV) (89.6, 85.2 y 88.6 fl) and mean cell haemoglobin
(MCH) (29.8, 28.0 y 29.6 pg/cell) obtained in the
evaluations I to III were superior to the reference ranges of Domestic Cats
and, to those of free-ranging and captive Ocelots (International Species
Information System 2002; Aiello & Moses 2016; Widmer et al. 2016). These differences, however, were not associated
with pathological signs and abnormal haematological
morphologies such as reticulocytosis, anisocytosis or
polychromasia, which are compatible with anaemia or haemolysis (Aguiló 2001; Cowell
2004).
Also,
in the evaluations I to III, the platelet counts (180, 190, and 260 109/L)
were lower than the reference ranges of Domestic Cats, free-ranging and captive
Ocelots (International Species Information System 2002; Aiello & Moses
2016; Widmer et al. 2016). Ectoparasite
ticks on the ears and a low parasite load of one type of nematode that were
detected at the individual’s arrival could be the cause for initial lower
platelet count, which increased after removal of ticks and the deworming
treatment. The low platelet count,
however, was not associated with pathological signs such as bleeding, haemorrhagic diathesis or petechiae described by Nuñez-Ochoa (2007).
All
the values of serum chemistry obtained in the evaluations I to III were within
the reference ranges of Domestic Cats and free-ranging and captive Ocelots
(International Species Information System 2002; Aiello & Moses 2016; Widmer
et al. 2016), with little variation of creatinine, globulin and total protein
values in free-ranging Ocelots. In
addition, total protein was similar to the values reported in a free-ranging
Pampas Cat (Beltrán-Saavedra et al. 2009).
The
only potassium value obtained in the evaluation I was a little lower than the
reference ranges of Domestic Cats, whereas blood urea nitrogen and aspartate
aminotransferase values were higher than the same reference ranges (Aiello
& Moses 2016). There were, however,
no clinical abnormalities, and these serum values are among those reported for
free-ranging and captive Ocelots (International Species Information System
2002; Widmer et al. 2016).
The
value of albumin/globulin proportion obtained in the evaluation I was higher
than the ranges reported for free-ranging Ocelots (Widmer et al. 2016). The parameters of erythrosedimentation
were not comparable, since previous authors did not report these data.
Using
capture nets was more suitable than cage traps for the containment of this
individual. The procedures using KH+XH
with an intended dose of 10:2mg/kg proved to be safe and efficient for 40
minutes of procedure for this subadult male Andean Cat under captive
conditions. Clinical parameters
indicated that the individual remained in good body condition during captivity,
showed a constant increase in size and weight, and was considered healthy
following haematological and serum chemistry evaluations. This study contributed to the knowledge of
physiological and morphological parameters of the Andean Cat, and together with
other health and biological parameters allowed to determine the timing of
release of this individual into its natural habitat. We strongly recommend to conduct more research
on the Andean Cat to obtain additional data relevant for both in situ and ex
situ conservation and management of this little-known cat.
Table 1. Morphometry guidelines and tools used to
measure a subadult male Andean Cat Leopardus
jacobita in captivity at Vesty
Pakos Zoo, La Paz, Bolivia.
|
Parameter |
Description |
Tool |
|
Total body length
(TBL) |
Distance from the
tip of the snout to the tip of the tail (excluding the fur at the tip) along
the spine |
Measure tape |
|
Head length (HL) |
Distance from the
tip of the nose to the junction of the skull with the spine, along the middle
part of the head |
Measure tape |
|
Tail length (TL) |
Distance from the
anus to the tip of the tail (excluding the fur at the tip), measured by the
ventral side of the tail |
Measure tape |
|
Head and body
length (HBL) |
Difference between
TBL and TL |
|
|
Neck circumference
(NC) |
Neck contour
perimeter |
Measure tape |
|
Front foot length
(FFL) |
Distance from the
elbow to the tip of the longest finger. Measurement taken from the front
right foot |
Ruler |
|
Back foot length
(BFL) |
Distance from the
heel to the tip of the longest toe, measured on the back-right foot |
Ruler |
|
Front pad length
(FPL) |
Distance from the
base of the palm to the tip of the longest finger, measured on the right
front leg |
Ruler |
|
Front pad width
(FPW) |
Widest part of the
pad, measured on the right front leg |
Ruler |
|
Back pad length
(BPL) |
Distance from the
base of the palm to the tip of the longest finger, measured on the right back
leg |
Ruler |
|
Back pad width
(BPW) |
Widest part of the
pad, measured on the right back leg |
Ruler |
|
Ear length (EL) |
Distance from the
base of the notch to the tip of the ear, excluding the hairs, on the inner
side of the ear |
Ruler |
|
Testicles length
(T) |
Distance from the
tip to the base of one of the testicles, measured on the right testicle |
Digital caliper |
|
Upper canine height
(UCH) |
Canine tooth height
from the tip to the gum, measured on the upper and lower right canine
throughout the center of each |
Digital caliper |
|
Lower canine height
(LCH) |
||
|
Dental formula (DF) |
Number of incisors,
canines, premolars and molars of the upper and lower jaw counted from the center of the dentition in the right jaw |
Visual |
|
Weight |
Total body weight
in kg after a 12-hour fasting period |
Digital scale |
Table 2. Protocol
of chemical immobilization used in a male subadult Andean Cat Leopardus jacobita
in captivity, Vesty Pakos
Zoo, La Paz, Bolivia. The evaluations I
to IV were done for health studies and the last one prior to its release. Doses
of KH and XH are listed in mg/kg of body weight.
|
Date |
Evaluations |
Intended dose HK:HX |
Weight |
KH initial dose |
KH additional dose* |
KH total dose |
No. of additional doses |
XH initial dose |
Application-sedation effect (min) |
Duration of sedation (min) |
|
17.iii.2016 |
I |
10:1 |
4.100 |
10 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
1 |
16 |
45 |
|
04.iv.2016 |
II |
10:2 |
4.720 |
8.68 |
0 |
8.68 |
0 |
1.74 |
11 |
40 |
|
12.v.2016 |
III |
10:2 |
5.328 |
8.91 |
1.00 |
9.91 |
1 |
1.79 |
10 |
66 |
|
14.vi.2016 |
IV |
10:2 |
5.602 |
8.50 |
1.68 |
10.18 |
1 |
1.69 |
13 |
63 |
|
27.viii.2016 |
V |
10:2 |
5.946 |
9.40 |
0 |
9.40 |
0 |
1.88 |
10 |
40 |
*Additional doses of ketamine were used after ~40–45
min to extend the duration of sedation, when more handling had to be done with
the individual.
The data recorded for body temperature (˚C), heart
rate (min) and respiratory rate (min) are presented in the Table 3.
Table 3. Body
condition and physiological parameters of a subadult male Andean Cat Leopardus jacobita
in captivity at Vesty Pakos
Zoo, La Paz, Bolivia.
|
Evaluations |
Body condition** |
Temperature (˚C)* |
Heart rate (min)* |
Respiratory rate (min)* |
|||
|
Mean |
Ranges |
Mean |
Ranges |
Mean |
Ranges |
||
|
I |
Underweight |
38.4 |
38.0–38.8 |
169 |
132–220 |
44 |
- |
|
II |
Ideal |
37.6 |
37.2–38.4 |
104 |
88–112 |
24 |
- |
|
III |
Ideal |
36.9 |
- |
111.5 |
110–113 |
29 |
22–35 |
|
IV |
Ideal |
38.7 |
- |
116 |
- |
56 |
- |
|
V |
Overweight |
36.4 |
- |
121.2 |
108–135 |
28 |
20–36 |
*For averages not accompanied by ranges, the values
recorded were unique | ** Body condition and fitness according to 9 points-Body
Condition Score (Laflamme 1997 in Santarossa
et al. 2017).
Table 4. Morphometric
measurements and body size increase of a subadult male Andean Cat Leopardus jacobita
in captivity at Vesty Pakos
Zoo, La Paz, Bolivia. Biometric values
are expressed in millimeters (mm) and are compared with values obtained in
other studies.
|
Parameter |
Evaluations of this study |
Other studies |
References |
||||
|
I |
II |
III |
IV |
Increase |
|||
|
TBL |
1015 |
- |
1017 |
1020 |
5 |
- |
- |
|
HBL |
645 |
- |
644 |
645 |
0 |
577–850 |
Yensen & Seymour (2000) |
|
640–660** 740–850 |
García-Perea (2002) |
||||||
|
570–920 |
Noss et al. (2010) |
||||||
|
620–750 |
Tellaeche et al. (2018) |
||||||
|
HL |
130 |
135 |
139 |
140 |
10 |
120–150 |
Tellaeche et al. (2018) |
|
TL |
370 |
373 |
373 |
375 |
5 |
480 |
Pine et al. (1979) |
|
410–480 |
Yensen & Seymour (2000) |
||||||
|
330–420** |
García-Perea (2002) |
||||||
|
350–480 |
Noss et al. (2010) |
||||||
|
420–460 |
Tellaeche et al. (2018) |
||||||
|
NC |
202 |
206 |
219 |
219 |
17 |
190–230 |
Tellaeche et al. (2018) |
|
FFL |
209 |
209 |
216 |
216 |
7 |
- |
- |
|
BFL |
120 |
125 |
129 |
129 |
9 |
110 |
Pine et al. (1979) |
|
133 |
Yensen & Seymour (2000) |
||||||
|
110–133** |
García-Perea (2002) |
||||||
|
110–130 |
Noss et al. (2010) |
||||||
|
FPL |
44 |
46 |
46 |
46 |
2 |
42–48 |
Tellaeche et al. (2018) |
|
FPW |
- |
39 |
39 |
42 |
3* |
34–40 |
Tellaeche et al. (2018) |
|
BPL |
45 |
46 |
47 |
47 |
2 |
45–48 |
Tellaeche et al. (2018) |
|
BPW |
- |
29 |
31 |
31 |
2* |
38–40 |
Tellaeche et al. (2018) |
|
EL |
60 |
60 |
61 |
61 |
1 |
53** |
Pine et al. (1979) |
|
63** |
Yensen & Seymour (2000) |
||||||
|
53–63** |
García-Perea (2002) |
||||||
|
30–70 |
Noss et al. (2010) |
||||||
|
47–56 |
Tellaeche et al. (2018) |
||||||
|
T |
18,4 |
18,4 |
22 |
24 |
5,6 |
- |
- |
|
UCH |
11.8 |
- |
- |
11 |
-0.8 |
5.6–7.58 |
Tellaeche et al. (2018) |
|
LCH |
10 |
- |
- |
10.1 |
0.1 |
5.32–7.82 |
Tellaeche et al. (2018) |
*Data
taken from the evaluation II | **Measurement of subadult individuals
Table 5. Haematological
and serum chemistry parameters in a male subadult Andean Cat Leopardus jacobita
kept in captivity at Vesty Pakos
Zoo, La Paz, Bolivia. Values of free-ranging Ocelot L. pardalis
(Widmer et al. 2016) and captive Ocelot (International Species Information
System 2002), and reference ranges of Domestic Cats Felis
catus (Aiello & Moses 2015) are included for
comparison.
|
Parameters |
Units |
Evaluation of Andean Cat |
Free-ranging Ocelot |
Captive Ocelot |
Domestic Cat |
||
|
I |
II |
III |
Range |
Range |
Range |
||
|
Haematology |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Red blood cells |
109 /L |
5.2 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.5–7.1 |
5.10–10.8 |
5.0–10.0 |
|
Haemoglobin |
g/L |
155 |
129 |
154 |
95–131 |
94–171 |
100–150 |
|
Haematocrit |
L/L |
0.46 |
0.39 |
0.46 |
0.30–0.40 |
0.27–0.53 |
0.30–0.45 |
|
MCV* |
fl |
89.6 |
85.2 |
88.6 |
42.25–60.0 |
42.9–62.8 |
39–55 |
|
MCH* |
pg/cell |
29.8 |
28.0 |
29.6 |
13.4–22.4 |
12.7–21.8 |
13–17 |
|
MCHC* |
g/L |
332.0 |
330.0 |
334 |
311.8–363.9 |
238.0–396.0 |
300–360 |
|
Platelet count |
109 /L |
180 |
190 |
260 |
280–694 |
88.0–581.0 |
300–800 |
|
Eritrosedimentation |
mm/h |
1 |
4 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
|
White blood cells |
109 /L |
10.0 |
9.9 |
10.0 |
12.1–19.8 |
4.62–23.30 |
5.5–19.5 |
|
Bands |
109 /L |
0.20 |
0.0 |
0.20 |
0.18–0.57 |
0.0–0.50 |
0.0–0.30 |
|
Neutrophils |
109 /L |
7.2 |
6.6 |
5.2 |
7.4–15.9 |
0.105–20.7 |
2.5–12.5 |
|
Eosinophils |
109 /L |
0.1 |
0.1 |
0.3 |
0–0.9 |
0.0–3.63 |
0.0–0.8 |
|
Basophils |
109 u/L |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0–0.37 |
0.0–0.2 |
|
Lymphocytes |
109 /L |
2.3 |
2.9 |
4.2 |
1.5–8.7 |
0.46–7.61 |
1.5–7.0 |
|
Monocytes |
109 /L |
0.2 |
0.3 |
0.1 |
0.5–1.6 |
0.05–2.62 |
0.0–0.9 |
|
Serum chemistry |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Creatinine |
umol/L |
100 |
120 |
120 |
61.9–114.9 |
71.0–283.0 |
80–194 |
|
Blood urea nitrogen |
mmol/L |
13.6 |
17.6 |
16.6 |
- |
- |
6.8–12.1 |
|
Potassium |
mmol/L |
3.2 |
- |
- |
4.5–5.2 |
2.8–5.8 |
3.7–6.1 |
|
Total protein |
g/L |
68.0 |
64.0 |
62.0 |
74.0–113.0 |
56.0–100.0 |
60.0–79.0 |
|
Albumin |
g/L |
36.0 |
36.0 |
- |
22.1–28.2 |
22.0–46.0 |
28.0–39.0 |
|
Globulin |
g/L |
31.0 |
- |
- |
50.0–90.9 |
24.0–67.0 |
26.0–51.0 |
|
Albumin/globulin proportion |
|
1.16 |
- |
- |
0.24–0.48 |
- |
- |
|
AST* |
IU/L |
47.7 |
53.8 |
28.9 |
38.0–193.0 |
9.0–111.0 |
7.0–38.0 |
|
ALT* |
IU/L |
49.0 |
52.7 |
39.8 |
33.0–117.0 |
19.0–269.0 |
25.0–97.0 |
|
ALP* |
IU/L |
11.3 |
20.0 |
6.83 |
13.0–35.0 |
4.0–243.0 |
0.0–45.0 |
*MCV—Mean cell volume | MCH—Mean cell haemoglobin |
MCHC—Mean cell haemoglobin concentration | AST—Aspartate aminotransferase |
ALT—Alanine aminotransferase | ALP—Alkaline phosphatase.
For figure
& images - - click here
REFERENCES
Acosta,
G., S. Funk & N. Dunstone (2007). Inmovilización de la Güiña (Leopardus guigna) en estado silvestre con la asociación anestésica ketamina-xilacina. Avances
en Ciencias Veterinarias 22: 5–9.
Aguiló, J. (2001). Valores hematológicos.
Clínica Veterinaria
de Pequeños Animales 21(2):
75–85.
Aiello
S.E. & M.A. Moses (Eds.) (2016). The Merck Veterinary Manual. 11th ed.
Kenilworth, Merck and Co. Inc., 3325pp.
Andean
Cat Alliance (2011). Strategic
Plan for the Andean Cat conservation. 2011−2016. La Paz, 38pp.
Beltrán, J.F. & M.E. Tewes
(1995). Immobilization of
Ocelots and Bobcats with ketamine hydrochloride and xylazine hydrochloride. Journal
of Wildlife Diseases 31(1): 43–48. https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-31.1.43
Beltrán-Saavedra, L.F., G. Nallar,
M.L. Villalba, E. Delgado & M. Berna (2009). Inmovilización química, evaluación hematológica y coproparasitología de Leopardus
colocolo en Khastor,
Potosí, Bolivia. Revista de Investigaciones Veterinarias del
Perú 20(2): 297–305. https://doi.org/10.15381/rivep.v20i2.627
Cossíos, D., F. Beltrán-Saavedra, M.
Bennett, N. Bernal, U. Fajardo, M. Lucherini, M.J.
Merino, J. Marino, C. Napolitano, R. Palacios, P. Perovic,
Y. Ramirez, L. Villalba, S. Walker & C. Sillero-Zubiri (2007). Manual de metodologías
para relevamientos de carnívoros
altoandinos. Alianza Gato Andino. Buenos Aires, 71pp.
Cossíos, E.D., R.S. Walker, M. Lucherini,
M. Ruiz-García & B. Angers (2012). Population structure and conservation of a
high-altitude specialist, the Andean Cat Leopardus
jacobita. Endangered Species Research 16(3):
283–294. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00402
Cowell
R. (2004). Veterinary Clinical
Pathology Secrets. Elsevier Mosby, St Louis Missouri, 408pp.
Emmons,
L.H. (1999). Mamíferos de los bosques húmedos de América
Tropical: una guía de campo.
Editorial FAN, Fundación Amigos de la Naturaleza.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 298pp.
García-Perea, R. (2002). Andean Mountain Cat, Oreailurus
jacobita: morphological description and
comparison with other felines from the altiplano. Journal of Mammalogy 83(1):
110–124. https://doi.org/10.1644/1545-1542(2002)083%3C0110:AMCOJM%3E2.0.CO;2
Huaranca, J.C., L.F. Pacheco, M.L. Villalba
& A.R. Torrez (2013).
Ciudad de Piedra, an important site for the conservation of Andean Cats in
Bolivia. Cat News 58: 4–7.
International
Species Information System (2002).
Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
physiological reference ranges (both sexes, all ages). Apple Valley, The United
States of America. 1 CD-ROM. Reviewed on: August 2018
Johnson,
W.E., E. Eizirik, J. Pecon-Slattery,
W.J. Murphy, A. Antunes, E. Teeling & S.J.
O’Brien (2006). The late Miocene
radiation of modern Felidae: a genetic assessment. Science 311(5757):
73–77; https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1122277
Noss, A., M. Villalba & R. Arispe (2010).
Felidae. Pp. 401–444. In: Wallace, R.B., H. Gómez, Z. Porcel
& D.I. Rumiz (Eds.). Distribución,
ecología y conservación de los mamíferos medianos
y grandes de Bolivia. Centro de Ecología Difusión Simón I. Patiño, Bolivia, 884pp.
Novaro, A., S. Walker, R. Palacios, S. di Martino, M.
Monteverde, S. Cañadell, L. Rivas & D. Cossíos (2010). Endangered Andean Cat distribution beyond the Andes in
Patagonia. Cat News 53: 8–10.
Nuñez-Ochoa, L. (2007). Patología clínica veterinaria.
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México DF,
348pp.
Pine,
R.H., S.D. Miller & M.L. Schamberger (1979). Contributions to the mammalogy of Chile. Mammalia
43(3): 339–376. https://doi.org/10.1515/mamm.1979.43.3.339
Sorli, L.E., F.D. Martínez, U. Lardelli
& S. Brandi (2006).
Andean Cat in Mendoza, Argentina − furthest south and lowest elevation ever
recorded. Cat News 44: 24.
Tellaeche, C.G., J.I. Reppucci, E.M. Luengos Vidal, D.L. Clifford & M. Lucherini
(2020). Field Chemical
Immobilization of Andean and Pampas Cats in the High-Altitude Andes. Wildlife
Society Bulletin 44(1): 214–220. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1066
Tellaeche, C.G., J.I. Reppucci, M.M.
Morales, E.M. Luengos Vidal & M. Lucherini (2018). External and skull morphology of the Andean Cat and
Pampas Cat: new data from the high Andes of Argentina. Journal of Mammalogy 99(4):
906–914. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyy065
Villalba L., M. Lucherini, S. Walker,
D. Cossíos, A. Iriarte, J.
Sanderson, G. Gallardo, F. Alfaro, C. Napolitano & C. Sillero-Zubiri
(2004). El gato andino: Plan de acción para su conservación. Alianza Gato Andino, La Paz, 82pp.
Villalba, L., M. Lucherini, S. Walker,
N. Lagos, D. Cossios, M. Bennett & J. Huaranca (2016). Leopardus jacobita. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016:
e.T15452A50657407. Downloaded on 08 July 2016. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T15452A50657407.en
Villalba, M.L., F. Alfaro, J.C. Huaranca
& G. Gallardo (2009). Leopardus jacobita,
pp. 451–453. In: Aguirre, L.F., R. Aguayo, J. Balderrama,
C. Cortez, T. Tarifa & O. Rocha (Eds.). Libro Rojo
de la fauna silvestre de vertebrados
de Bolivia. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Agua, Bolivia, 571pp.
Villalba, M.L., N. Bernal, K. Nowell & D.W. Macdonald
(2012). Distribution of two
Andean small cats (Leopardus jacobita and Leopardus
colocolo) in Bolivia and the potential impacts of traditional beliefs on
their conservation. Endangered Species Research 16(1): 85–94. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00389
Widmer,
C.E., E.R. Matushima & F.C.C. de Azevedo (2016). Clinical Evaluation, Hematology, and Serum
Chemistry of Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Journal
of Wildlife Diseases 52(4): 916–921. https://doi.org/10.7589/2015-09-225
Yensen, E. &
K.L. Seymour (2000). Oreailurus
jacobita. Mammalian Species 644: 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1644/1545-1410(2000)644%3C0001:OJ%3E2.0.CO;2