Diseases and causes of death among alpacas in Sweden: a retrospective study

Björklund, Christina; Båge, Renée; Morrell, Jane M.; Verdier, Kerstin de; Hartzell, Lisbeth Nisu; Kjellinbro, Nanna; Belák, Katinka; Bernodt, K.; Gavier‐Widén, Dolores

doi:10.1136/vetreco-2017-000239

Cited by 14 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Previous studies in New Zealand detected an abortion rate of 5-17% [7,8]. Other studies have shown that finding the causative agent for the abortion can be difficult, leading to a rather big proportion of cases where the reason stays unknown [9,10]. Abortion is defined as the expulsion of a fetus after organogenesis is completed and before fetal independent viability [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Causes of Abortions in South American Camelids in Switzerland—Cases and Questionnaire

Rüfli

Gurtner

Basso

et al. 2021

Animals

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Over the last decade, South American camelids (SAC) have gained increasing popularity in Switzerland. They are used for several purposes such as fiber and meat production, as companion or guard animals and for trekking activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency and reasons for pregnancy loss and perinatal death in SAC herds. Within the scope of this study, early embryonic losses could not be identified, as pregnancy examinations by ultrasonography are not performed routinely. Aborted and stillborn fetuses were collected, necropsied and analyzed for infectious abortifacients. A nationwide survey among breeders was carried out. During a 1.5-year period, only eight cases of aborted or stillborn alpaca and llama (out of a population of 6550 animals) were reported by the breeders, and their causes were subsequently analyzed. In half of the cases, Coxiella burnetii was identified in the fetoplacental material. Abortions and stillbirths were reported to be rare in Swiss herds. As a conclusion, recording of embryonic losses through ultrasound training of veterinarians should be impaired and breeders motivated to have abortions and perinatal mortality examined. Special focus should be laid on C. burnetii due to its zoonotic risk.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Causes of Abortions in South American Camelids in Switzerland—Cases and Questionnaire

Rüfli

Gurtner

Basso

et al. 2021

Animals

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“…Of these cases, 54% are reported in alpacas, 45% in llamas, and 1% in guanaco. There has been one previous summary report of causes of mortality in 100 alpacas which reported 5% rate of neoplasia (four cases of lymphoma and one case of cholangiocellular carcinoma) (2). There is one review of 40 cases of neoplasia in alpacas and llamas that found a rate of 4.9% of neoplasia in alpacas and 11% of neoplasia in llamas (3).…”

Section: Literature Casesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since then, there has been increasing interest in neoplasia of llamas and alpacas especially as these animals have had increased popularity for their fiber and as companion and pack animals for integrated sheep protection. The majority of the earlier reports have been individual cases or brief communications with only very rare publications looking at overall prevalence of neoplasia in new world camelids (2,3). Prevalence studies indicate that while common, neoplasia is not a primary cause of death and that llamas might have a slightly higher incidence of neoplasia than alpacas, although alpacas appear to have predisposition for developing neoplasia at a relatively younger age.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neoplasia and Proliferative Lesions of New World Camelids: A Systematic Literature Review and Retrospective Study of Cases Submitted to Colorado State University From 1995 to 2020

et al. 2021

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Camelid pathology submissions to veterinary diagnostic laboratories are on the rise given the increasing popularity and population of llamas and alpacas especially in the western United States. When compared to other animals, the field of camelid neoplasia has a relative paucity of cases reported in the literature. The Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories (CSU-VDL) has had a steady increase in the numbers of camelid pathology submissions allowing for a robust review of diagnoses of neoplasia in new world camelids. Here we present a retrospective analysis of camelid neoplastic and proliferative lesions diagnosed at the CSU-VDL from 1995 to 2020, followed by an extensive literature review. Results show increasing incidence of camelid neoplasia reported in the literature, therefore becoming a common diagnosis in llamas and alpacas. Proliferative and neoplastic lesions were diagnosed in 8.8% of new world camelid submissions to CSU-VDL with the most common tumors being lymphomas, squamous cell carcinomas, fibromas, and adenocarcinomas. Risk factors are female sex and increased age except in the case of lymphoma, which tends to occur in younger camelids. Lymphomas, melanomas, and adenocarcinomas (especially of gastrointestinal tract) carry an increased risk of multiple-organ system involvement often with widespread metastases. Conditions described in camelids for the first time include osteosarcoma, cutaneous hemangiosarcoma, myxosarcoma, pilomatricoma, ovarian theca cell tumor, congenital nevus with malignant transformation, and various other neoplasia. This article will provide an operational guide for camelid neoplasia to further assist veterinary laboratory diagnosticians, researchers, and practicing veterinarians in the field of camelid medicine and pathology.

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“…Ultrasonography is especially helpful as an ancillary test in the clinical work-up of acute and chronic abdominal diseases in camelids, which are reported to be a common cause of death in llamas and alpacas [1,2]. Ultrasonographic examination of the spleen can be used to identify primary abnormalities and to differentiate strangulating obstructions, such as splenic torsion or displacement, from other causes of abdominal discomfort [3][4][5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrasonography of kidney and spleen in clinically healthy llamas and alpacas

Eibl

Franz

2021

Acta Vet Scand

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Background The ultrasonographic examination technique is a well-established, non-invasive diagnostic tool for diverse conditions in humans and different animal species. The purpose of our study was to describe ultrasonographic localisation, sonographic appearance and dimensions of the kidneys and spleen of clinically healthy llamas and alpacas. Differences between llamas and alpacas and the influence of sex and ages were investigated. Results of this study may aid veterinarians performing ultrasonography in diseased animals and the technique can be used for routine protocol screening. Results Ultrasonography was performed in 135 clinically healthy, non-sedated llamas and alpacas. Screening was performed with a 6.6 MHz curve linear transducer with only alcohol as contact medium between the probe and unclipped skin. The kidneys could be imaged from the paralumbar region. The right kidney only was visualized when scanning from the right and the left kidney only from the left. While the left kidney appeared in sagittal view as an oval shape in most llamas and alpacas, in one third of animals the left kidney had a triangular shape. The L-shaped base of the spleen, with its homogeneous, echoic pattern, could be seen craniolateral to the left kidney. Anechoic areas displaying vessels inside the spleen and a thin echoic capsule surrounding the splenic tissue could be differentiated. While sonographic appearances of the examined organs showed no differences between llamas and alpacas, selected dimensions of both of kidney and spleen showed significant differences between species. In terms of age and sex, significant differences in respect of kidney size could be found only in alpacas. Sex seemed to have no influence on kidney and spleen sizes in llamas. Conclusions The present study provides species-specific information on ultrasonographic appearance and reference values for kidney and spleen dimensions of clinically healthy llamas and alpacas. Results show differences in organ sizes between llamas and alpacas and in alpacas of different sex and age. The results of this study can be used as references for veterinarians performing ultrasound examinations in diseased animals.

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Diseases and causes of death among alpacas in Sweden: a retrospective study

Cited by 14 publications

References 5 publications

Causes of Abortions in South American Camelids in Switzerland—Cases and Questionnaire

Causes of Abortions in South American Camelids in Switzerland—Cases and Questionnaire

Neoplasia and Proliferative Lesions of New World Camelids: A Systematic Literature Review and Retrospective Study of Cases Submitted to Colorado State University From 1995 to 2020

Ultrasonography of kidney and spleen in clinically healthy llamas and alpacas

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