Renal agenesis in an alpaca cria

A 4-day-old alpaca cria presented for inappetence that responded to symptomatic treatment. The cria re-presented with acute signs of inappetence and azotaemia. The azotaemia persisted despite intravenous fluid therapy. There was no right kidney on ultrasound and there appeared to be perirenal oedema around the left kidney. A diagnosis of right renal agenesis and acute renal failure of the left kidney was made. The cria failed to improve and was euthanased. Necropsy examination confirmed right renal agenesis and agenesis of the right ureter and right renal artery. A section of left kidney submitted for histological examination revealed diffuse, acute, marked tubular degeneration and nephrosis. The cause of the renal failure in the left kidney was not determined.     

Interventional Closure of a Patent Ductus Arteriosus Using an Amplatz Canine Duct Occluder in an Alpaca Cria

A 6‐month old female alpaca cria presented to The Ohio State University for evaluation of a cardiac murmur. Echocardiography revealed a left‐to‐right shunting patent ductus arteriosus, a restrictive left‐to‐right shunting perimembranous ventricular septal defect, and secondary moderate left atrial and ventricular dilation. Aortic root angiography demonstrated a type IIA patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Interventional closure of the PDA was successfully performed, without complication, using an Amplatz canine duct occluder. This case report describes the materials and methods used for interventional closure of a PDA in an alpaca cria.     

The use of equine surfactant and positive pressure ventilation to treat a premature alpaca cria with severe hypoventilation and hypercapnia

A 5-hour-old, premature alpaca cria was presented with failure to nurse, weakness, hypoglycemia, hypercapnia, and respiratory distress. The cria was treated with 3 doses of fresh, crude equine surfactant, positive pressure ventilation, and supplemental intranasal oxygen. Recovery to discharge was uneventful, and the cria regained apparently normal respiratory function. Three years after hospital discharge, the alpaca was a healthy adult.     

Otitis media/interna and suppurative meningoencephalomyelitis associated with Listeria monocytogenes infection in a llama

Listeria monocytogenes was found to be the cause of fatal suppurative meningoencephalomyelitis in a 3.5-month-old cria. The cria initially had clinical signs of unilateral peripheral vestibular disease, but on the following day, the cria developed progressive signs of encephalitis. Treatment with antibiotics, flunixin meglumine, and anticonvulsant drugs failed to stop progression of the disease, and the cria was euthanatized. Post-mortem examination revealed otitis media-interna and diffuse suppurative meningoencephalomyelitis. Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from CSF and brain tissue.     

Vulvahypoplasia in an alpaca cria - first case report in Germany

This is the first German case report of an alpaca cria suffering from a congenital vulvahypoplasia. Symptoms, diagnostics and therapy are described. The 24-hours-old cria was referred to the hospital due to reduced general condition and colic. The existent vulvahypoplasia led to impaired urination, causing further complications such as urovagina and urinary stasis up to the renal pelvis. Surgical construction of the rima vulvae cured the cria. As indicated by several cases published on the clinical picture of vulvahypoplasia during recent years, this congenital deformation could become an increasing problem in the alpaca population.     

Ocular and olfactory forebrain abnormalities within a neonatal alpaca (Vicugna pacos)

A 5-day-old Huacaya alpaca cria (Vicugna pacos) was euthanized due to deteriorating health. At birth, the cria had ophthalmologic abnormalities, but had appropriate mentation. At 2 days of age, the cria gradually stopped suckling and began to circle. At 5 days old, the owner elected euthanasia due to declining clinical condition. Grossly, the right iris had a scalloped pupillary margin, and the right olfactory bulb was malformed. Histopathology revealed persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous bilaterally and iridal abnormalities, as well as aplasia of the olfactory ventricle, olfactory tract, and olfactory foramen on the right side.     

Portosystemic shunt in an alpaca cria

A 5-month-old alpaca cria was examined for chronic poor growth and repeated episodes of diarrhea. Examination of feces for parasites yielded negative results. Serum bile acid and blood ammonia concentrations were high. Subsequent examination by ultrasonography, percutaneous splenic portography, and colonic scintigraphy did not reveal evidence of a portosystemic vascular anomaly. Exploratory celiotomy with mesenteric vein portography revealed a colonic vein shunt in the caudal portion of the abdomen from the caudal vena cava to the portal vein. The shunt vessel was ligated without incident. Following surgery, the cria began to gain weight and was more alert. Eighteen months after surgery, the cria was doing well, although it had loose feces and was slightly small for its age. Portosystemic shunts are rare in cattle and horses but should be considered in alpacas with chronic poor growth when parasitism has been ruled out.     

Acute respiratory distress syndrome in an alpaca cria

A 7-hour-old alpaca was presented for lethargy and depression. The cria responded favorably to initial treatment but developed acute-onset dyspnea 48 hours later. Acute respiratory distress syndrome was diagnosed by thoracic imaging and blood gas analysis. The cria was successfully treated with corticosteroids and discharged from the hospital.     

Bilateral renal agenesis in an alpaca cria

A 3-day-old male alpaca cria was presented for lack of vigor and failure to urinate since birth. Based on the history, laboratory data, ultrasonographs, surgical findings, and postmortem examination, the cria was diagnosed with bilateral renal agenesis and hypoplastic bladder, a congenital condition rarely seen in veterinary medicine.     

Surgical correction of metacarpophalangeal valgus deformity in an alpaca

A 1-month-old alpaca cria presented with a 13 degree valgus deformity of the left metacarpophalangeal joint. The angular limb deformity was centered on the distal metacarpal physes. Transphyseal bridging of the physes was recommended. Two 2.7 mm cortical bone screws were placed either side of the distal metacarpal physes and a figure of eight wire was placed medially around the screw heads. The screws extended through the medial metacarpus into the axial cortex of the lateral metacarpus. Seven weeks after surgery the limb was straight and the screws and wire were removed. Transphyseal bridging of the distal metacarpal physes can be effectively used for the treatment of metacarpophalangeal valgus in crias with open physes.     

Fatal sand impaction of the spiral colon in a 1-month-old alpaca

A 1-month-old cria (Lama pacos) was presented because of depression, anorexia, and diarrhea for 3 days. Although treated for enteritis (intravenous fluids and antibiotics), the cria's condition deteriorated. An abdominal radiograph revealed radiodense materials in the 3rd compartment and intestines. The cria died due to sand impaction of the spiral colon.     

Systemic coccidioidomycosis in a llama cria native to Missouri

A 3-mo-old male llama was examined because of a 4-wk history of lethargy and ill thrift. Clinical examination revealed subcutaneous masses in the left prescapular and right inguinal regions, mild ataxia, a slight head tilt to the right, and right ear droop. The cria died before clinical workup was complete. At autopsy, there was generalized lymphadenomegaly, a hepatic nodule, a midbrain mass causing rostral compression of the cerebellum, and internal hydrocephalus. Microscopic findings included pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis, meningoencephalitis, hepatitis, and bronchopneumonia. Intralesional fungal spherules, most consistent with Coccidioides spp., were identified in the lymph nodes, lung, and brain. Fungal culture, single-nucleotide variation genotyping real-time PCR, and DNA sequencing confirmed Coccidioides posadasii. The dam of the cria was native to Arizona and had been moved to Missouri ~2.5 y previously. Agar gel immunodiffusion assay of the herd revealed that only the dam was positive for Coccidioides spp.; 6 herdmates were negative. Computed tomography of the dam revealed multiple nodules within the lungs and liver, which were presumed to be an active coccidioidomycosis infection. This case of systemic coccidioidomycosis in a llama native to Missouri was presumably acquired by vertical transmission from the dam.     

Total Hip Replacement in an Alpaca Using a Cementless Implant

Objective— To report use of a cementless total hip prosthesis in an alpaca.
Study Design— Case report.
Animals— Alpaca (n=1) with chronic craniodorsal coxofemoral luxation.
Methods— A 2.5-year-old Suri alpaca, 3 months pregnant, was admitted for evaluation of acute onset severe left hind limb lameness (grade 4/5) of 6 weeks duration. After diagnosis of craniodorsal luxation of the left femoral head, total hip replacement (THR) using a cementless implant was performed because of the poor prognosis for reduction of a chronic luxation.
Results— A press-fit prosthesis was used and the alpaca delivered a live cria 8 months later. Persistent mild mechanical lameness remained after surgery, with moderate reduction in mobility of the coxofemoral joint. The prosthesis was stable and correctly positioned at 7 weeks and at 9 months. There was mild exostosis surrounding the proximal aspect of the femur at 9 months, and Steinmann pins used to repair the trochanteric osteotomy were removed because of migration. At 1 year, the alpaca has a slight gait abnormality, remains with the herd on pasture and has been re-bred.
Conclusion— Chronic coxofemoral luxation in an alpaca can be managed by THR.
Clinical Relevance— THR is a viable treatment option in alpacas with severe coxofemoral disease.     

Costal bone changes similar to hypertrophic osteopathy associated with pulmonary and abdominal mesothelioma in a dog

An 8-year-old male Irish Setter was admitted because of nonweight bearing lameness of the left forelimb. Radiography failed to reveal any bony lesions of the forelimb; however, extensive periosteal new bone formation over most rib surfaces and an atypical cardiac silhouette suggestive of a mediastinal mass with pleural effusion were observed. New bone formation was seen on the ilium and a filling defect in the urethra, distal to the prostate, was apparent with contrast urethrocystography. Necropsy revealed scirrhous mesothelioma of the thorax and abdomen, multifocal periosteal exostoses, paraprostatic cyst, and benign prostatic cystic hyperplasia. Tumor cells were associated with the periosteal exostotic costal bone. The specific cause of the lameness was not determined.     

Hyperlipemia and Ketonuria in an Alpaca and a Llama

An alpaca and a llama in late stages of gestation were evaluated for lethargy, anorexia, and recumbency. Both camelids had cloudy, white, turbid serum, elevated serum triglyceride (1564, 5658 mg/dL, respectively) and cholesterol (158, 297 mg/dL, respectively) concentrations, and ketonuria. Signs of fetal stress were evident ultrasonographically in the alpaca, and a live cria was delivered by Cesarean section performed under general anesthesia. The alpaca developed severe metabolic acidosis, hepatic lipidosis, and acute renal failure secondary to renal lipidosis and died 36 hours after admission despite medical therapy. Histopathology revealed renal and hepatic lipidosis and neutrophilic pancreatitis. The cria died 72 hours after birth. The llama responded to IV electrolyte, dextrose, and regular crystalline insulin therapy. The pregnancy was maintained, and the llama was discharged from the hospital 20 days after admission. Two months after discharge, the llama gave birth to a live, 5 kg cria. Findings of hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, elevated sorbitol dehydrogenase activity, metabolic acidosis, azotemia, and ketonuria occurred in these two camelids. Based on this report, camelids appear to be similar to both horses and cattle in their response to severe energy imbalances in late gestation.     

Meningoencephalitis and brain abscessation due to Escherichia coli in a 2 week old alpaca cria

An alpaca cria which received insufficient colostrum, presented with lethargy, anorexia, no passage of faeces and neurological signs. Differential diagnosis included neonatal septicaemia, meningitis and gastrointestinal obstruction. The cria died despite treatment. Necropsy revealed brain abscesses with Escherichia coli in pure culture. The importance of the amount and timing of colostrum intake is discussed.     

Macroscopic anatomy of the reproductive tract of the reproductively quiescent female emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

Three reproductively quiescent female emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) were embalmed with 10% formalin solution. The reproductive tract was dissected and described. The reproductive tract consists of an ovary and oviduct situated on the left side of the abdominal cavity. The left ovary is dark brown to black in colour with follicles covering the ventral surface. The ovary is located medial to the spleen and closely associated with the ventral surface of the cranial and middle lobes of the left kidney. The oviduct is a relatively straight tube that extends from the level of the cranial extent of the left ilium to the caudal border of the left pubic bone. The oviduct is grossly divided into the infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus and vagina using variations in the mucosal fold pattern.