Diagnosis and surgical removal of brain abscesses in a juvenile alpaca

Abstract

A 1-month-old female alpaca weighing 15 kg (33 lb) was brought to the Queen' s Veterinary School hospital with a history of dullness, swaying, and head nodding that had become progressively worse over the previous week. The dam had been brought to the United Kingdom from Australia during the last month of pregnancy to join a herd of approximately 200. For 3 days following parturition, the cria was reportedly dull and maladjusted, but then became more responsive and suckled from the dam. Shortly after birth, the cria was given an injection of florfenicol-flunixin meglumine a (80 mg/kg [36 mg/lb], IM) by the referring veterinarian because of concerns about possible low-grade peritonitis.On initial examination, the cria remained in sternal recumbency with its head raised but swaying from side to side; signs of depression were evident. Rectal temperature was 37.3 o C (99.1 o F), pulse rate was 100 beats/min, and respiration rate was 32 breaths/min. Results of abdominal palpation and auscultation of the heart and lungs were unremarkable. The cria was reluctant to support its weight and had deficits in foot placement and hopping reactions in all 4 limbs. Flexor reflexes were normal in all 4 limbs, and strong patellar reflexes were present. Pupillary light reflexes and menace responses were normal. There was no evidence of pain associated with spinal palpation or manipulation. The abnormal mentation and involvement of all 4 limbs combined with an absence of cranial nerve deficits suggested a diffuse forebrain lesion or possible metabolic disorder. Case Description-A 1-month-old female alpaca was examined because of progressive clinical signs consistent with an intracranial lesion. Clinical Findings-Clinical signs included signs of depression, lethargy, tetraparesis, and neck weakness. Two large isointense intracranial masses could be seen on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images. On T2-weighted images, the masses contained concentric rings of hypointense and hyperintense material. Treatment and Outcome-2 abscesses were removed via a craniotomy that incorporated removal of the sagittal crest and surrounding skull and transection of the sagittal sinus. The bony deficit was replaced with polypropylene mesh. The alpaca recovered within 2 weeks and was fully integrated into the herd within 1 month after surgery. Clinical Relevance-Findings indicated that surgical removal is a feasible means of successfully treating intracranial abscesses in juvenile alpacas. (J Am Vet Med Assoc

Imaging Diagnosis—conventional and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of a Brain Abscess in a Goat

“…Only one additional case report has been described using advanced imaging to diagnose a cerebral abscess in a goat ante mortem . Conventional MRI findings in the goat of the current report were consistent with previously reported findings in other species with cerebral abscesses . However, conventional MRI findings are not specific for abscesses and can also be seen in necrotic brain tumors.…”

Neonatal Diseases in Llamas and Alpacas

“…Brain abscessation was reported in a 2-week-old alpaca cria caused by E coli 15 and in a 1-month-old alpaca cria from which Fusiformes spp were cultured. 18 The first alpaca died, whereas the second alpaca made a successful recovery following surgical removal of the abscesses by way of craniotomy. The author is aware of at least two cases of brain abscessation that were successfully treated with medical therapy (Claire Whitehead, unpublished observations, 2005).…”

Intracranial abscess formation in an adult alpaca: a case report

“…In South American camelids (SACs) neurologic disorders caused by infectious or non-infectious agents are not uncommon [1–3], albeit there are no epidemiologic studies published on the incidence of these diseases so far. Besides, only a few case reports are available providing insight into aetiology, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of neurologic camelid patients [1–6].…”

“…Clinical signs can vary depending on the region of the brain affected. To the author’s knowledge, only three case reports are published on intracranial abscess formation in SACs [4–6]. Brain abscesses were mainly found in crias and described as being an important complication of failure of passive transfer.…”

“…The formation of intracranial abscesses was reported once in a 2-week-old alpaca cria caused by E. coli [4] and another time in a 1-month-old alpaca cria caused by Fusiformes spp. infection [6]. A potential microbial dissemination originating from a molar abscess in the mandible was considered to be causative for development of brainstem and cerebellum abscessation in an 11 years old male alpaca [5].…”