Abstract: Ovaries of the seasonally-breeding snow leopard (Uncia uncia) were examined to determine whether they were responsive to exogenous gonadotrophins throughout the year. The potential of laparoscopic artificial insemination (AI) also was assessed for producing offspring. During the non-breeding, pre-breeding, breeding and post-breeding seasons, females (n = 20) were treated with a standardized, dual- hormone regimen given intramuscularly (600 I.U. of equine chorionic gonadotrophin followed 80-84 h later with 300 I.U. of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG)). Laparoscopy was performed 45-50 h after administration of hCG, and all ovarian structures were described. Females with fresh corpora lutea (CL) were inseminated, and anovulatory females were subjected to follicular aspiration to examine oocyte quality. Snow leopards responded to exogenous gonadotrophins throughout the year. Mean number of total ovarian structures (distinct follicles mature in appearance plus CL) did not differ (P > or = 0.05) with season, but the proportion of CL: total ovarian structures was greater (P < 0.01) for the breeding season compared with all other seasons. The proportion of females ovulating was greater (P < 0.05) during the breeding and post-breeding seasons than during the pre-breeding and non- breeding seasons respectively. No Grade-1 quality oocytes were recovered from follicles of anovulatory females. Serum concentrations of oestradiol-17 beta appeared elevated in all females, and neither oestradiol-17 beta concentrations nor progesterone concentrations differed (P > or = 0.05) among seasons. Of 15 females artificially inseminated, the only one that was inseminated in the non-breeding season became pregnant and delivered a single cub. This is the first successful pregnancy resulting from AI in this endangered species.

Abstract: In a litter of three snow leopards, bilateral colobomata of the upper temporal eyelids, bilateral persistent pupillary membranes and a unilateral coloboma of the optic nerve entrance are described as “Multiple Ocular Colobomata” (MOC). The causal pathogenesis of each of the colobomata is discussed comparatively. The colobomata of the eyelids, essential feature of the MOC syndrome in snow leopards, are most probably not of hereditary, but rather of intrauterine infectious viral origin.

Abstract: A 5-mo-old male snow leopard (Panthera uncia) was presented for mild rear leg lameness. Osteomyelitis was suspected on the basis of radiographic changes and confirmed by histopathology of a biopsy sample from the affected bone. Aerobic cultures of the biopsies repeatedly grew Klebsiella oxytoca. Repeated anaerobic and fungal cultures did not result in growth. The leopard was treated unsuccessfully with cefadroxil, chloramphenicol, and trimethoprim/sulfadiazine despite apparent in vitro sensitivity to these antibiotics. Successful resolution was eventually achieved with enrofloxacin, 7.5 mg/kg p.o. b.i.d. for 60 days. The number of bones involved (right humerus, right and left ulna, right and left radius, right and left femur, right and left tibia, mandible, right metatarsus) made this an unusual presentation of osteomyelitis.

Abstract: Virus-like particles were observed in the giant cells of a mammary adenoma of a snow leopard kept in captivity. Particles that measured 115 to 125 nm in diameter budded from the lamella of endoplasmic reticulum and were studded on their inner surfaces with dense granules (approximately 12 nm) that gave them their unique ultrastructural morphology. Such particles were not observed extracellularly. Type B or type C particles were not seen in the tumor tissue.

Abstract: A new species of Demodex is described, in all instars, from the rare and endangered snow leopard, Panthera uncia. This represents only the second demodecid from the family Felidae and the first from a wild cat species. The mite specimens were taken from juvenile hosts raised in captivity. Demodex uncii sp. nov. closely resembles Demodex cati.