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1 January 2001 Feline Leukemia Virus in a Captive Bobcat
Jonathan M. Sleeman, Jennifer M. Keane, Jeremy S. Johnson, Rebecca J. Brown, Sue Vande Woude
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Abstract

An 11-mo-old captive-bred male neutered bobcat (Felis rufus) presented with lethargy, anorexia, leukopenia, neutropenia, lymphopenia, and nonregenerative anemia. The animal was diagnosed as feline leukemia virus (FeLV) positive by immunofluorescent antibody and enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) testing. It died despite supportive care. Pathologic examination revealed multifocal non-suppurative encephalitis, diffuse interstitial pneumonia, multifocal hepatocellular necrosis, non-suppurative peritonitis, and lymphoid depletion. FeLV was isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, bone marrow, spleen, and lymph node. FeLV-specific gag sequences were amplified by DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and aligned with known domestic cat FeLV's. The source of the virus was speculated to be a domestic cat that was a surrogate nurse. Case reports of FeLV in nondomestic felids are few, and FeLV does not appear to be enzootic in wild felids, except European wildcats (Felis silvestris) in France and Scotland. Introduction of FeLV into free-living and captive nondomestic felid populations could have serious consequences for their health and survival. Measures to prevent the introduction of this virus to nondomestic felids are warranted.

Sleeman, Keane, Johnson, Brown, and Woude: Feline Leukemia Virus in a Captive Bobcat
Jonathan M. Sleeman, Jennifer M. Keane, Jeremy S. Johnson, Rebecca J. Brown, and Sue Vande Woude "Feline Leukemia Virus in a Captive Bobcat," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 37(1), 194-200, (1 January 2001). https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-37.1.194
Received: 11 January 2000; Published: 1 January 2001
KEYWORDS
bobcat
case report
feline leukemia virus
Felis rufus
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