Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in an ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)

The aim of this study is to report a case of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in an ocelot (Leopard us pardalis) in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The animal, a 24-month-old male, was referred to the Centro de Reabilitacao de Animais Silvestres (CRAS) with a history of having been run over and tibia and fibula fractures. After a surgery to repair the fractures, the ocelot underwent antibiotic therapy with two doses of sodium cefovecin, during which he presented with diarrhea. A stool sample was positive for A/B toxins by a cytotoxicity assay, and a toxigenic strain of C difficile was isolated. No other enteropathogens were detected, The association between the history, clinical signs and laboratory exams confirmed the diagnosis of C difficile-associated diarrhea. The present report confirms C difficile as a potential pathogen for wild felids and suggests that the C difficile-associated diarrhea should be considered in diarrhea cases, especially when the clinical signs began after antimicrobial use. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.