2017 journal article

PREVALENCE OF CYSTINURIA IN SERVALS (LEPTAILURUS SERVAL) IN THE UNITED STATES

JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE, 48(4), 1102–1107.

By: S. Cannizzo*, M. Stinner & S. Kennedy-Stoskopf*

author keywords: Cyanide-nitroprusside test; cystine; cystinuria; Leptailurus serval; serval; urolithiasis
MeSH headings : Animals; Cystinuria / diagnosis; Cystinuria / epidemiology; Cystinuria / pathology; Cystinuria / veterinary; Data Collection; Felidae; United States / epidemiology
TL;DR: This condition is likely underreported in servals and should be ruled out in any serval with nonspecific signs of illness; neurologic signs such as lethargy, ataxia, or seizures; ptyalism; or signs of lower urinary tract disease such as dysuria, hematuria, stranguria, pollakiuria, or urethral obstructions. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
3. Good Health and Well-being (Web of Science; OpenAlex)
Source: Web Of Science
Added: August 6, 2018

Abstract Cystinuria is a condition caused by defects in amino acid transport within the kidneys and small intestines. It has been reported in humans, dogs, domestic cats, ferrets, nondomestic canids, and nondomestic felids, including servals (Leptailurus serval). Genetic mutations have been identified in dogs, humans, and domestic cats. Cystinuria usually follows an autosomal recessive inheritance, although it can be autosomal dominant and sex linked. The primary objective of this study was to screen urine samples dried on filter paper from captive servals in the United States for cystinuria by using the cyanide-nitroprusside screening test. A second objective was to determine whether cystinuria is inheritable in servals. Servals were initially recruited for the study by survey. Owners and institutions interested in participating were sent a second survey and filter paper for collecting urine samples. Samples were collected from 25 servals. One additional serval with confirmed cystine urolithiasis was added for a total sample size of 26 servals. Twenty-seven percent (7/26) were positive, 54% (14/26) were weakly positive, and 19% (5/26) were negative. Sex, reproductive status, and urine collection method had no significant association with test results. This condition is likely underreported in servals and should be ruled out in any serval with nonspecific signs of illness; neurologic signs such as lethargy, ataxia, or seizures; ptyalism; or signs of lower urinary tract disease such as dysuria, hematuria, stranguria, pollakiuria, or urethral obstructions.