Two cases of acquired porto‐systemic shunt in association with veno‐occlusive disease in captive Northern cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii) with insights into antemortem diagnostics

Abstract

Two Northern cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii) were euthanased at the Zoological Society of London's Whipsnade Zoo due to old age and degenerative joint disease. Both animals were found to have mild to moderate fibrosis of the space of Disse (veno‐occlusive disease) and multiple congested, tortuous vessels running from the hepatic portal vein to the caudal vena cava (acquired portosystemic shunt). We hypothesise that the shunts result from portal hypertension caused by the veno‐occlusive disease, and that this helps relieve pressure on the sinusoidal endothelium, limiting progression of the disease. As acquired portosystemic shunt is a known sequel to portal hypertension, we believe that acquired portosystemic shunt may be more common in cheetahs with veno‐occlusive disease than is currently reported, and provide a practical protocol and gross images as diagnostic tools to aid in the postmortem diagnosis of this condition.