Eyelid agenesis and multiple ocular defects in a captive cheetah cub (Acinonyx jubatus)

This case report describes bilateral eyelid agenesis with multiple ocular defects in a captive bred, cheetah cub ( Acinonyx jubatus ). The ocular defects included a dermoid, bilateral, immature posterior cortical cataracts, persistent pupillary membranes, optic nerve coloboma and choroidal hypoplasia. These anomalies resemble the multiple colobomatous syndrome described in the snow leopard, Texas cougar and domestic cat. There are numerous speculations as to the cause and mechanisms of multiple ocular and periocular defects in wild and domestic felids. The genetic pool of the cheetah species is very small and theoretically limited gene pools are prone to genetic abnormalities. However, an intrauterine cause can9t be excluded in this isolated case.