PREVALENCE OF FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS, FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS AND TOXOPLASMA GONDII IN CAPTIVE TIGERS (Panthera Tigris) IN A WILDLIFE FACILITY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Abstract

The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Toxoplasma gondii in the captive tigers of a wildlife facility in the Philippines. Nine of the ten captive tigers (Panthera tigris) in the facility were used: six were adults and 3 were juvenile. Furthermore, five of these nine animals were males and four were females. There have been no reports of disease outbreaks and all the animals were apparently healthy during the time of the study as the mean (±SD) hematologic values were within the normal range. Of the nine samples, 33% (3/9) were exposed to T. gondii but none of the animals had evidence of exposure to either FIV or FeLV. Control of stray domestic short haired cats within the wildlife facility should be maintained to control disease spread and maintain the health of the captive animals.