Contributions to Zoology, 69 (4) (2000)Erwin J.O. Kompanje; Peter S.J. Klaver; Gilbert Th. de Vries: Short notes and reviews

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Case reports

Case 1. Ursus ursinus Cuvier, 1823

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A female Sloth bear Ursus ursinus, named ‘Frederica’, died in her sleep on 12 October 1995 at the Amsterdam zoo. She had arrived on 29 May 1965, at the age of six months, from the zoo of Calcutta, India, together with two other females and one male. Having reached almost 31 years of age, she was considered rather old for a Sloth bear: Jones (1982) gave a maximum life span of 28 years and Prater (1971) 40 years. She was the last of the four Sloth bears imported in 1965. The other three bears died of malignant tumors of the biliary system, which is a common cause of death for old zoo bears, especially Sloth bears (see e.g. Kingston & Wright, 1985; Canfield et al., 1990; Hellmann et al., 1991; Van der Hage & Dorrestein, 1994). Frederica gave birth to several pups between 1970 and 1987 (registration cards Natura Artis Magistra; Fig. 1).

Autopsy was performed one day after death at the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Utrecht, The Netherlands. The abdominal cavity contained circa 25 litres of yellowish fluid. A mesothelioma was found. Ascites often complicated intra-abdominal malignancies (Kuntze, 1995). The colon showed a thickened red-coloured mucosa; from the contents, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus morganii, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus sp., and Enterobacteriaceae were cultured. A chronic colitis was suspected. Two specimens of the parasite Toxascaris transfuga were found in the stomach, which also contained an amount of blood. The cardia was thickened. Infection with Toxascaris transfuga is common in all species of Ursidae, but is rare in the Sloth bear (Kuntze, 1995).

The mounted skin and skeleton were saved for the collection of the Natural History Museum of Rotterdam (Natuurmuseum Rotterdam), The Netherlands (reg. no. 999000153). During preparation of the skeleton, severe pathological changes were found on the ventral and anterolateral sides of the lower thoracic and lumbar/sacral region of the vertebral column. The vertebral column was subsequently submitted to radiographic examination. After radiographs were made, the vertebral column was further dissected and the condition of the vertebral ligaments and the intervertebral disci were studied. The bones were then macerated in water, after which examination of the cleaned bones was possible. A preliminary report on this case was published by Kompanje & Klaver (1998)

Radiographic examination of the vertebrae

Radiographs were made of the entire vertebral column including the pelvis in ventrodorsal view. Radiographs in lateral view were made from the lumbar vertebrae. The cervical part showed some abnormalities. On the right anterolateral side of C2 new bone formation was visible as on the zyg-apophyseal joint between C5 and C6. The intervertebral disc space between C6 and C7 was narrowed. The radiograph of the lower thoracic and lumbar part showed typical nonmarginal syndesmophytes and paradiscal ossicles. On the radiograph in lateral view, large nonmarginal syndesmophytes were visible in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar region. The syndesmophytes along the lateral part of the vertebrae, also visible on the radiograph in ventrodorsal view, were vertically disposed and had a ‘bullhorn shape’ (Fig. 2). Sacroiliac fusion was evident in the upper region (Fig. 2). Calcification of the intervertebral disc was visible in the affected parts of the lumbar vertebrae on the radiograph in lateral view (Fig. 3). The costo-vertebral joints appeared to be normal.

Examination of the macerated skeleton

Skull. – The skull and dentition were as one should expect from an old zoo bear. Many teeth were lost during the bear’s lifetime and those remaining were severely worn. The canines showed signs of dental treatment. Surprisingly, all the apices of the canines were normal. No alveodental abscesses were found.

Forelimbs. – Both humeri and ulnae showed signs of osteoarthrosis (marginal osteophytes on the caput humeri and elbow joint) (Figs. 4 & 5). Some erosive lesions were found on the distal joint surfaces of both radii. Both scapulae showed features of osteoarthrosis on the margins of the glenoid fossa.

The middle three metacarpal bones of the right manus showed signs of healed fractures. The other two metacarpal bones, the carpal bones and phalanxes were normal, as were the bones of the left manus.

Hindlimbs. – Impressive features of osteoarthrosis were found on both caput femoris (eburnation, erosion, marginal osteophytes) (Fig. 6). The knee joint showed only mild features of osteoarthrosis. The right ankle joint showed a mixture of osteoarthrosis and erosive arthritis (the latter is a feature of spondyloarthropathy). The left one is only affected by osteoarthrosis. Large enthesophytes (calcifications of tendon attachments) were found on the dorsal side of the upper end of both tibiae (Fig. 7).

Severe erosive arthritis was found in the right subtalar and ankle joint. Erosions were also found between the third and fourth metatarsalia of the left foot. All the other bones of the feet were normal.

Cervical vertebrae. – Arthrosis and erosion was found in all zygapophyseal joints, most severe between C5 and C6, already visible on the radiograph. Marginal osteophytes, a sign of discarthrosis, were found on the ventral margins of all vertebrae. A large nonmarginal syndesmophyte was found on the right anterolateral side of C2. Erosion was found on the caudal vertebral endplate of C3 and the cranial vertebral endplate of C4. Severe erosion was found on the caudal endplate of C6 and cranial endplate of C7 (Fig. 8); normal covering bone plate was completely absent.

Thoracic vertebrae. – Arthrosis was found in all zygapophyseal joints, but most severe between Th8-Th9 and Th9-Th10. The whole area of contact was covered with erosion and perforations of varying size and there was new bone formation and eburnation. On several vertebrae large nonmarginal syndesmophytes were found, the most severe being in the lower thoracic spine after Th9. On some of the vertebrae marginal osteophytes were found, as a sign of discarthrosis. Th3, Th4 and Th5 were completely normal.

Lumbar vertebrae. – Large nonmarginal syndesmophytes were found on the ventral and anterolateral sides of all lumbar vertebrae. Involvement of the zygapophyseal joints was visible (Fig. 9). Paradiscal ossicles were found on the ventral side between L1 and L2, also visible on the radiograph in lateral view (Fig. 3). Extensive erosions were found on the caudal endplate of L5. Between L6 and the sacrum, ankylosis was found. Large nonmarginal syndesmophytes were found in this region (Fig. 8).

Pelvis, sacrum, and caudal vertebrae. – The sacroiliac fusion was asymmetric, on the left side in ventral view more complete than on the right. On the dorsal side the fusion was complete on both sides (Fig. 10). Extensive osteoarthrosis was found in the hip joints.

Comments on case 1

On the spine, osteophytes and syndesmophytes were found as features of two different conditions: discarthrosis (spondylosis deformans) and spondyloarthropathy. Mixtaosteophytes as a combination of arthritis and arthrosis were also recognized.

Initial alterations in spondyloarthropathy are apparent at the thoracolumbar and lumbosacral junctions, as is seen in this case. Asymmetric fusion of the sacroiliac joints is typical for spondyloarthropathy of Reiter’s type and for psoriatic arthritis. The syndesmophytes in this Sloth bear were mostly unilateral and asymmetric in distribution, looking broad and bulky, characteristic of Reiter’s syndrome (Kerr & Resnick, 1985).

Case 2. Ursus thibetanus Raffles, 1821

The cleaned skeleton of an adult female Asiatic black bear Ursus thibetanus was obtained by the third author. The bear died in 1994 in Zwartberg zoo, Genk, Belgium. Unfortunately, neither professional autopsy, nor radiographic examination was performed, and there was no information available regarding age or life history. Judged from the skeletal development, this animal was advanced in age. The skeleton is kept in the Natural History Museum Rotterdam (reg. no. 999000835).

Examination of the macerated skeleton

Skull. – The skull and dentition were almost completely normal. The canines were severely worn, as is normal in a zoo bear. No alveodental abscesses were apparent.

Forelimbs. – The scapulae, humeri, radii and ulnae showed signs of severe osteoarthrosis (Figs. 11 & 12). In most of the metacarpalia and carpalia and some of the phalanxes, marginal osteophytes were found. No erosive lesions were visible.

Hindlimbs. – On the femora and tibiae impressive signs of osteoarthrosis were found (Fig. 13). Both knee joints showed severe signs of degeneration. On the patellae large marginal spurs were visible. The tarsalia and metatarsalia showed also degenerative features in the form of marginal osteophytes.

Cervical vertebrae. – Large nonmarginal syndesmophytes were found on the left ventral side of C5 and C6. Erosion of the vertebral endplate was found on the caudal endplate of C3, cranial and caudal endplate of C4, C5 and C6, and the cranial endplate of C7. Some signs of arthrosis of the zygapophyseal joints were found on all cervical vertebrae. Marginal osteophytes were found on C2 up to and including C7.

Thoracic vertebrae. – All thoracic vertebrae showed severe pathological changes. On all margins degenerative osteophytes were found. On the right ventral side of Th6 up to and including Th11 large nonmarginal new bone formation was found, possibly nonmarginal syndesmophytes. No ankylosis was observed between any of the thoracic vertebrae. Signs of arthrosis of the zygapophyseal joints were found in most of the thoracic vertebrae. Erosion of the vertebral endplate was mostly confined to the mid-thoracic vertebrae. On the 13th thoracic vertebrae, large nonmarginal syndesmophytes were found lipping with those on the 14th thoracic vertebra. This 14th thoracic vertebra was found completely fused with the first lumbar vertebra (Fig. 14).

Lumbar, sacral vertebrae and pelvis. – There was a complete fusion between the 14th thoracic and all lumbar vertebrae (Fig. 14). The new bone formation has fused the vertebrae on all sides. There was complete fusion in all zygapophyseal joints. The sacroiliac fusion was complete and symmetric. Between the 5th lumbar vertebra and the sacrum, impressive new bone formation (syndesmophytes) was found, without fusion of these syndesmophytes or of the zygapophyseal joints.

Comments on case 2

On the spine, osteophytes and syndesmophytes were found as features of degeneration (discarthrosis, spondylosis deformans) and spondyolarthropathy. Mixtaosteophytes were also found. Initial alternations of spondyloarthropathy are most usually found in the thoracolumbar and lumbosacral junctions, as in the case described here. The fusion of the sa-croiliac joints was complete. Most likely this case represents a combination of osteoarthrosis/discarthrosis and spondyloarthropathy of Reiter’s type or psoriatic arthritis.

Case 3. Ursus malayanus Shaw & Nodder, 1791

The cleaned skeleton of an adult female Sun bear Ursus malayanus was also obtained by the third author. This bear came from the same zoo as the one treated in the former case. Once again, professional autopsy and/or radiographic examination were not performed and subsequently no information regarding age and/or life history was available. The skeleton is kept in the private collection of the third author.

Examination of the macerated skeleton

Skull. – The skull and dentition were as one should expect from a bear held in captivity. Signs of large alveodental abscesses were found around all apices of both upper canines, the left lower canine, and the lower incisives.

Forelimbs. – Both humeri showed some small marginal osteophytes on the margins of the caput humeri (osteoarthrosis). Scapulae were normal. Some erosion of unknown etiology was found on the proximal joint surfaces of the right ulna. The left ulna and the radii were normal. All right carpalia, metacarpalia and phalanxes were normal. All left carpalia and metacarpalia were likewise normal. Some of the left phalanxes showed irregularly new bone formation and destruction of bone, as the result of osteomyelitis.

Hindlimbs. – Femora, tibiae, and fibulae were normal. The left fibula and tibia were fused in the proximal joint, most probably due to calcification of tendon attachments. All the bones of the feet were normal.

Cervical vertebrae. – All cervical vertebrae were completely normal.

Thoracic vertebrae. – The first seven thoracic vertebrae were normal. The 8th up to and including the 15th thoracic vertebrae showed large marginal and nonmarginal syndesmophytes. The syndesmophytes impinged with each other, but no ankylosis was found. All vertebral endplates and zygapophyseal joint surfaces were normal.

Lumbar vertebrae. – All lumbar vertebrae showed small and some large marginal and nonmarginal syndesmophytes. All vertebral endplates and zygapophyseal joint surfaces were normal.

Pelvis, sacrum, and caudal vertebrae. – The sacroiliac fusion was smooth and symmetric. Some syndesmophytes were found on the right upper margin of S1. The first caudal vertebra was fused with the last sacral one. Both hip joints were normal.

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