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The Andean cat ( Leopardus jacobita) is one of the most threatened and least known wild felids in the world. Using molecular and serologic tests, we screened a free-ranging Andean cat for 17 pathogens of conservation concern. Results suggested no evidence of infection or exposure. Whether pathogens are a threat for Andean cat populations remains currently unknown.

Only a few aspects of the biology of Amblyomma parvitarsum Neumann are known. Adults of this hard tick species are parasites of South American camelids in the Andean plateau of Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Chile and also in the Argentine Patagonia, but they have been also rarely found on other artyodactils and two species of birds. The larva has been collected from reptiles in northern Chile, whereas the hosts for the nymph remain unknown. On nine localities included within Altitude Tropical and Perarid Mediterranean ecoregions in northern Chile, we analyzed 237 reptiles, 285 birds, 624 rodents and 52 camelids for infestation with A. parvitarsum to calculate seasonal prevalence of this tick. We also reviewed the literature of this tick and three entomological collections for obtaining and summarizing all the information to date about this tick. None of the analyzed birds and rodents were parasitized with A. parvitarsum; however, seven over a total of ten reptile species that we caught were infested with the larva. In the camelid species Lama glama and Vicugna pacos we collected adult specimens of this tick. Larval prevalence was higher during fall (75 %) in Liolaemus pleopholis in the Altitude Tropical ecoregion. We also collected adult specimens of A. parvitarsum from camelid manure heaps during summer in Salar de Surire and Llullaillaco localities. Additionally, we also reviewed the literature of this tick and examined specimens in three entomological collections for obtaining and summarizing all the information to date about this tick. By this study, nine localities and seven new hosts are added for A. parvitarsum and we confirm reptiles as specific hosts of this tick larva.

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The Andean Cat Leopardus jacobita, one of the most rare and endangered feline species in the world, is distributed from central Peru to central Argentina.  The aim of this study was to evaluate the health and morphometry of a subadult male Andean Cat that was rescued from wildlife trade in Bolivia and held captive for 165 days before being released back into its natural habitat.  Physical immobilizations followed by anaesthesia using ketamine hydrochloride (KH) and xylazine hydrochloride (XH) were performed to obtain clinical, morphometric, haematological and serum chemical parameters.  Physical immobilizations were efficient using capture nets.  The combination of KH + XH had an average initial sedation effect within 12min with a range of 10–16 min after intramuscular application.  Anaesthetic average plane lasted 41.7min with a range of 40–45 min and was extended to 64.5min (63–66 min range) with an addition of KH.  The individual was underweight on arrival and gradually reached an ideal condition and was overweight before its release.  Morphometry parameters showed that it grew during the captive period.  It was released back into the wild when it was considered healthy.  This is the first report of a protocol of physical and chemical immobilization, physiological values, and biometric variation of an Andean Cat under captive conditions.