Infertility in wild animals has not been studied as carefully or extensively as compared to other domestic animals. However, few clinical reports are available with limited research work. Several infectious agents are involved with the female reproductive tract disorders of the lioness (Lien and Colcannon, 1983) which include two classic viral infections viz., Feline Pan Leucopenia and Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis. Bacterial infections have also been incriminated as cause of infertility in wild big cats resulting in endometritis, pyometritis and abortions. The present paper is a study on pyometra caused by Pseudomonas species in a lioness at Bannerghatta National Park (BNP), Bangalore.

An eight year old lioness housed at the ‘Rescue centre’ of BNP, was presented at the Wild Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) with the clinical signs of high temperature, dullness, rapid and elevated pulse rate, anorexia, anemic mucous membrane and mucopurulent vaginal discharge.

Blood samples with and without anticoagulant were collected from coccygial vein. The vaginal discharge was collected in sterile swabs. Blood sample was subjected for total leukocyte and differential leukocyte count. Serum sample was analyzed for Aspartate amino transferase (AST), Alanine amino transferase (ALT) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) using serum analyzer. Vaginal swabs were subjected to cultural examination for microbiological studies.

Blood samples revealed normocytic, normochromic anemia. Further it was suggestive of leukocytosis with 50,400 WBC/cumm and neutrophilia with 95% neutrophils in the differential count. Serum chemistry showed values of 124.5, 46.4, and 43 for AST, ALT, and BUN levels respectively, whereas the normal values ranged from 13.3 to 23 for AST, 19 to 37 for ALT and 23 for BUN (Wild life manual. veterinary college Chennai).

On cultural examination of the vaginal discharge, growth of aerobic, pigment producing gram negative bacilli resembling Pseudomonas species of organisms were isolated and was further confirmed by positive reaction of these organisms to oxidase and catalase biochemical tests. Pathogenecity was confirmed as the pigment was soluble in chloroform (Kruickshank et al.,1975).

The lioness might have acquired the post coital infection as the animal was housed along with other male lions in the same premises. The lions are considered as high carriers of these organisms on their prepuce and penis (Dow, 1962).

The blood picture of anemia, neutrophilic leukcocytosis and clinical signs of vaginal discharge further confirmed pyometra and the blood picture changes could be due to severe bacteremia and toxemia (Lein et al., 1983). The high BUN level in the serum was suggestive of glomerulonephrosis as a result of toxemia (Broodey, 1968).

Several organisms have been reported to cause pyometra of which E. coli, Streptococci, Salmonella and Mycoplasma are predominant. However very few reports are available on Pseudomonas as an etiology of pyometra in felines (Robert, 1989). Pseudomonas organisms are commonly recovered from the prepuce and vaginal discharge of caged animals and these organisms flourishe in warm and moist environment of the animal house. In addition, these organisms have been found in faeces hence, there are all possibilities of their persistence in animal houses due to feco-oral contamination (Snell, 1973).

As this study was a case of open pyometra, intra uterine treatment with higher antibiotics and prolonged systemic supportive therapy enabled the animal back to normalcy. These being very precious species of animals and Pseudomonas always in carrier state an eagle's eye inspection of hygienic measures can absolutely prevent such disease conditions in caged animals.

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