What is a characteristic finding of the erythrocytes of normal camelids?
They are elliptical
Avian erythrocytes are also elliptical, but they are nucleated; camelid erythrocytes are anucleate like other mammals.
How many compartments make up the stomach of camelids?
Three
(C1, C2, and C3)
Which common cause of anemia exclusive to camelids can be routinely diagnosed with a blood smear?
Eperythrozoonosis
(Mycoplasma haemolamae infection)
What is the most likely diagnosis in an overconditioned llama with signs of intracranial neurologic dysfunction and high circulating triglyceride and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels?
Hepatic lipidosis
What is the cause of the syndrome known as rickets, which commonly occurs in crias raised in geographic regions with constant cloud cover?
Vitamin D deficiency
Floppy ears and failure of the incisor teeth to erupt are an indication of which disorder in newborn crias?
Prematurity
Gastric ulcers occur most commonly in which compartment of the camelid stomach?
C3
In August, a llama from New Hampshire shows fever, lethargy, ataxia, seizures, recumbency, torticollis, opisthotonos, and vestibular signs. The animal dies two days later and post-mortem findings are consistent with encephalitis.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Eastern equine encephalitis virus
In camelids, is gastric intubation usually achieved through the nasal cavity or the oral cavity?
Through the oral cavity
(like ruminants)
The nasal cavity is narrow and only the passage of an impractically small tube would be possible.
What makes the bite of a male camelid much more hazardous than that of most other male domestic livestock?
Their canine teeth
Male camelids have formidable canine teeth with which they have been known to inflict fatal injuries.
An alpaca is noted to occasionally roll into dorsal recumbency and writhe on the ground. The animal is otherwise well. What is the most likely explanation?
“Dust bathing” or “rolling”
(form of self-grooming behavior very common in new world camelids)
Differential diagnoses include colic, dystocia, and urolithiasis.
Which congenital defect should be suspected in a cria with flared nostrils and open-mouth breathing?
Choanal atresia
This is the most common congenital defect in camelids.
A one-month-old alpaca presents for bilateral ocular discharge since birth. After fluorescein application, the dye does not appear in the nostrils.
What is your next diagnostic imaging test of choice?
Dacryocystorhinography
This is used for evaluating the anatomy of the nasolacrimal duct and to localize the obstruction prior to surgical correction.
A male llama shows signs of colic and posturing to urinate, but no urine is voided. On a serum biochemistry profile, you identify an elevation in BUN and creatinine.
What is the most likely cause of these clinical findings?
Obstruction of the urethra
(i.e., due to urolithiasis)
In most livestock species, this condition usually occurs in castrated animals; however, in camelids, intact males are most commonly affected.
Name three hematologic characteristics of camelids that are a result of their adaptation to altitude.
- High hemoglobin concentration
- Large number of erythrocytes
- Small, ellipsoid, thin erythrocytes (greater surface area)
- High MCHC
- High hemoglobin affinity to oxygen
- Efficient utilization of oxygen by the tissues*
*Oxygen dissociation curve is shifted to the left at low altitudes.
Which infectious disease of adult camelids causes chronic weight loss in the face of a good appetite?
Johne’s disease
(Mycobacterium avium sbsp. paratuberculosis infection)
Also seen in cattle.
Crias are born enveloped in an additional fetal epidermal membrane. What are its functions?
- Provides lubrication during delivery
- Keeps them dry at birth
Staying dry at birth offers an evolutionary advantage for neonates in colder, high-altitude climates.
