Age-related pathology in meerkats (Suricata suricatta) under human care
Poster communication in The Zoo and Wildlife Health Conference
June 7th, 2023
Vazquez-Fernandez E., Rebollada A., Romani-Cremaschi U., Mainez-Fernandez M., Rodriguez-Bertos A. and Canales R.
Meerkats (Suricata suricatta) are small carnivores from Southeast Africa very common in zoos. The lifespan of meerkats under human care ranges 12-14 years. However, their degenerative changes associated with ageing are unknown. Here, seven cases of meerkat necropsies (n = 6) or biopsy (n = 1) submitted during 2013-2022 were retrospectively evaluated. Five cases (71.4%) were older than 10 years and two were puppies (28.6%; No. 2, 3). Most showed end-stage kidney lesions and non-renal lesions of uremia (80%; No. 1, 4, 5, 7), which lead to a renal failure. Common lesions included splenic follicular atrophy with amyloidosis (40%; No. 5, 7), splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis (60%; No. 4, 5, 7); splenic histiocytic nodules (40%; No. 5, 7); hepatic steatosis and chronic hepatitis (60%; No. 1, 5, 7) myocardial mineralization and cardiac interstitial fibrosis (60%; No. 1, 4, 5), myxomatous valve degeneration with osseous metaplasia (20%; No. 7), and medial hyperplasia (40%; No. 1, 4) and mineralization of arteries (40%; No. 5, 7). Arterial. Other lesions included pulmonary interstitial fibrosis (40%; No. 5, 7), pulmonary adenomas (20%; No. 5), pancreatic adenomas (40%; No. 5, 7), chronic interstitial pancreatitis (20%; No. 5), chronic enteritis (40%; No. 1, 7), and chronic-active gingivitis and mandibular osteomyelitis (20%; No. 4). All these may result in impaired functions of the affected systems. The biopsy was a pyogranulomatous epididymitis (No. 6). Our results contribute to improve specific organs (e.g., the kidney) surveillance during routine check-ups in aged meerkats. This would promote animal health and lifespan in zoological collections.
 | Servicio de Patología y Veterinaria Forense (SAP). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM). |
| Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM). |
| Servicios Veterinarios. Mundomar. | |
| Departamento de Toxicología y Farmacología. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM). |
| C.V La Marina Exóticos. | |
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