Well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in a captive clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant neoplasm of keratinized epithelial cell affecting both domestic and wild animals. A few cases of SCC have been reported in wild felids. A fifteen year old, intact female, clouded leopard showed signs of lameness and swelling of the right hind paw, which upon physical examination was noted to contain an abscess. Surgical biopsy of the site revealed a well-differentiated SCC. Attempts at surgical excision and cryosurgery proved unsuccessful and there was a recurrence of the mass. Therefore, mid-femoral amputation was performed. Macroscopically, the amputated limb revealed multiple dermal, cavitated whitish masses. Microscopically, the neoplastic cell revealed typical features of SCC and immunoreactive to cytokeratin in the cytoplasm of the neoplastic cells. This case report is the first to describe a well-differentiated SCC in a clouded leopard.