Oral eosinophilic granulomas in tigers (Panthera tigris)--a collection of 16 cases.
Oral eosinophilic granulomas were diagnosed in 16 tigers (Panthera tigris). All lesions were located on the hard or soft palate and typically consisted of flat or slightly raised circular ulcers. Histologic features of these lesions were essentially identical to those seen in oral eosinophilic granulomas of domestic cats and dogs. No clinical signs were noted in eight cases, though various degrees of inappetence, excessive salivation, and dysphagia were noted in the other eight tigers. Six cases were not treated. Treatment for the remaining 10 cases centered on corticosteroids and additional treatments included surgical removal, cryotherapy, antibiotics, and chlorpheniramine. Treatment with corticosteroids did appear to be effective in some cases, though lesions would worsen after cessation of therapy and no cases were cured. In addition, three cases developed complications possibly related to this corticosteroid therapy. The etiology of these lesions remains unknown, though an underlying allergic condition is likely.
Department of Small Animal Clinical Scienc es, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennes see, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA. john.sykes@lacity.org
John M
JM
Sykes
Michael M
MM
Garner
Leah L
LL
Greer
Nancy P
NP
Lung
Rob L
RL
Coke
Frank
F
Ridgley
Mitch
M
Bush
Richard J
RJ
Montali
Ben
B
Okimoto
Robert
R
Schmidt
Jack L
JL
Allen
Bruce A
BA
Rideout
Patricia A
PA
Pesavento
Edward C
EC
Ramsay
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004803:Eosinophilic Granuloma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000473:pathology; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000473:pathology; D046010:Tigers; D017211:Treatment Failure
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones