Vet Med - Czech, 2025, 70(12):452-459 | DOI: 10.17221/29/2025-VETMED

Cerebellar hypoplasia in an Amur leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura) with feline panleukopenia virus infectionCase Report

JH Han ORCID...1, JS Oh ORCID...2, SY Ahn ORCID...1, J Kim ORCID...1, DN Lee ORCID...1, YD Suh ORCID...1, DY Kim ORCID...2, J Yoon3, SC Yeon ORCID...1
1 Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
2 Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
3 Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Cerebellar hypoplasia caused by feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) is well documented in domestic cats. Still, it remains unreported in wild felid species, including the Amur leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura). Understanding the impact of such viral diseases on wild populations is crucial for advancing conservation efforts and protecting wildlife. An orphaned Amur leopard cat exhibiting idiopathic ataxia was rescued. Initial diagnostics, including physical examination, radiography, and blood analysis, yielded no remarkable findings, though its clinical signs indicated an underlying neurological problem. Subsequent real-time polymerase chain reaction tests detected FPV. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed brain lesions, including reduced cerebellar parenchyma and cerebrospinal fluid occupying the space where the cerebellum should be located. These findings suggested cerebellar hypoplasia caused by in utero FPV infection. The Amur leopard cat was euthanised owing to its permanent disability, and the necropsy confirmed a markedly shrunken cerebellum. At the same time, histopathology identified decreased cellularity of the molecular and granular layers of the cerebellar cortex. These results coincided with the MRI findings. This report suggests that cerebellar hypoplasia caused by FPV can occur in wild felid species.

Keywords: cerebellar malformation; conservation medicine; in utero infection; viral disease; wildlife

Received: April 17, 2025; Revised: September 24, 2025; Accepted: September 26, 2025; Prepublished online: December 19, 2025; Published: December 31, 2025  Show citation

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Han J, Oh J, Ahn S, Kim J, Lee D, Suh Y, et al.. Cerebellar hypoplasia in an Amur leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura) with feline panleukopenia virus infection. Vet Med - Czech. 2025;70(12):452-459. doi: 10.17221/29/2025-VETMED.
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