Multiple trichoepitheliomas in an alpaca (Lama pacos).

A 13-yr-old male Alpaca (Lama pacos) presented with multiple ovoid, well-circumscribed, nonulcerated intradermal masses. Individual masses measured 1-4 cm in diameter, and the overlying skin was alopecic. Several of the masses were surgically removed and evaluated microscopically. Histopathologic evaluation demonstrated multiple dermal cysts lined by neoplastic follicular epithelium. The cysts were filled with multiple layers of lamellar keratin and lined by abortive inner and outer root sheaths exhibiting cellular atypia, supporting the diagnosis of trichoepitheliomas. No additional treatment was initiated, and the alpaca continues to do well.     

Actinobacillosis in an alpaca (Lama pacos)

The death of a 6-week-old alpaca being treated for acute polyarthritis is described. Post-mortem and histological findings included fibrinous mural endocarditis, lung abscessation, acute passive congestion of the liver, embolic suppurative nephritis and chronic nonsuppurative polyarthritis. Actinobacillus suis was isolated from the heart lesion and in pharyngeal swabs from four of six clinically normal alpacas in the same flock.     

Successful treatment of atlantooccipital luxation in an alpaca (Lama pacos).

A 7-mo-old male alpaca (Lama pacos) presented with an abnormal lowered posture of the head and neck and reluctance to walk. Cervical radiographs demonstrated atlantooccipital luxation. Successful manual closed reduction was achieved while the animal was anesthetized, resulting in complete return to normal gait and posture.     

Surgical correction of a corneal perforation in an alpaca (Lama pacos).

Likely because of trauma, an adult alpaca (Lama pacos) sustained a corneal perforation with a prolapsed iris. Because of the severity of the lesion, a pedicle conjunctival graft was performed. The structural integrity of the cornea was reestablished, and 10 mo postoperatively, the affected eye appeared to have good vision and only a small corneal scar remained.     

Sarcoptes scabiei infection on an alpaca (Lama pacos)

Abstract

Extract

Sarcoptes scabiei has been reported on a number of hosts in New Zealand including the dog, ferret (Mustela putorius), pig, hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), llama (Lama glama) and human (Tenquist and Charleston 2001 Tenquist, JD and Charleston, WAG. 2001. A revision of the annotated checklist of ectoparasites of terrestrial mammals in New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 31: 481–542. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). We report here the first record of infestation with these mites on an alpaca (Lama pacos) in New Zealand. The mites were detected on an adult male alpaca that had been maintained for several years along with others on a property in the Wairarapa region of the North Island. The infestation manifested itself as pruritis and alopecia. On clinical examination thick, grey, hyperkeratotic crusts were visible firmly adherent to the skin of the medial surface of both hindlegs. Similar smaller and possibly more recent lesions were also evident on the animal's face, which appeared to be the only affected alpaca on the property.     

Ataxia and head tremor in an alpaca (Lama pacos)

An 18-month-old alpaca developed nervous signs, including swaying of the head and neck, a wide-based stance and hind-limb ataxia. No certain diagnosis was made but the animal recovered after successive treatment with amoxycillin, vitamin B1, ivermectin and copper oxide, followed by vitamin E and selenium. The differential diagnosis rationale of treatment is described.     

Encephalitozoon cuniculi-associated placentitis and perinatal death in an alpaca (Lama pacos)

Placentitis, premature birth, and perinatal death were associated with Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection in an alpaca. Histologically, chorionic trophoblasts contained many Gram-positive, period acid-Schiff positive, variably acid-fast spores. Multifocal necrosis and infiltration by lymphocytes, eosinophils, and neutrophils were scattered throughout the chorionic membrane. Spores in trophoblasts were approximately 1 microm x 2 microm, thick-walled, and contained polar filaments and polar vacuoles consistent with microsporidia. The presence of E. cuniculi DNA was confirmed by sequencing the polymerase chain reaction amplicon from frozen placental tissue. A few glial nodules were scattered throughout the cerebrum, and mild lymphocytic inflammation was present in the heart, liver, and lung. No organisms were detected in tissues other than the placenta. This is the first reported case of E. cuniculi infection in an alpaca.     

Congenital caudal vertebral malformations in the alpaca (Lama pacos)

OBJECTIVE: To assess radiologically the caudal vertebrae of a male alpaca with an abnormal tail, and nine of his offspring. PROCEDURE: Right lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs were taken of the caudal vertebrae. RESULTS: The caudal vertebral abnormalities in these alpacas included vertebral subluxation, hemivertebrae, wedge hemivertebrae and block vertebrae. CONCLUSION: These malformations in offspring of one sire suggest a hereditary basis for congenital caudal vertebral malformations in the alpaca.     

Bilateral iliac arterial thrombosis in an alpaca (Vicugna pacos) cria

A 3-month-old male alpaca was presented for acute onset of non-weight-bearing left hind limb lameness. Antemortem diagnostics revealed a mass to the right of the urinary bladder and no blood flow in the left femoral artery. Necropsy revealed bilateral iliac arterial thrombi and an abscess near the urinary bladder.     

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis liver abscess in a mature alpaca (Lama pacos)

A mature female alpaca was evaluated for weight loss and a 10-day history of anorexia, diarrhea, abdominal distension, and ventral edema. Ultrasonography revealed a hepatic mass, culture of which identified Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. This is the first reported case of an internal caseous lymphadenitis lesion resulting in clinical disease in a camelid.     

Balanced anesthesia and ventilation strategies for an alpaca (Lama pacos) with an increased anesthetic-risk

We report the use of a balanced anesthetic technique in a three-year-old, female Huacaya alpaca with an increased anesthetic risk that underwent an extensive dental surgery. Anesthesia was provided with an infusion of midazolam, fentanyl, S-ketamine and low concentrations of isoflurane in oxygen. The mandibular alveolar nerve was desensitized with a lidocaine-bupivacaine combination. The alpaca showed signs of hypoxemia fifteen minutes after anesthesia induction and arterial blood gases confirmed severe venous admixture. Application of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 6-9 cm H2O improved the arterial oxygenation. Other cardiopulmonary variables remained within the normal range. At the end of surgery, sarmazenil was administered to antagonize the effects of midazolam and emergence from anesthesia was smooth and uneventful. Flunixine meglumine and a transdermal delivery system for fentanyl were administered for post-operative analgesia. This method of balanced anesthesia allowed for an adequate anesthetic plane and a safe recovery, however, special ventilation strategies (PEEP) had to be applied.     

Serologic survey of viral antibodies in the Peruvian alpaca (Lama pacos)

Sera from more than 100 alpacas (Lama pacos) from the Peruvian southern sierra were examined for antibodies to 8 viruses known to infect other domestic animals. On the basis of these serologic findings and previously published serologic or clinical data, it is now known that the alpaca can be infected with the following viruses: parainfluenza-3, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, bovine herpesvirus-1, bluetongue virus, border disease virus, influenza A virus, rotavirus, rabies virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, foot-and-mouth disease virus, and contagious ecthyma virus.