Exotics Top Topics - Camelids Top 6 Diseases

Question 1

what are the most common congenital/inherited diseases of camelids?

Answer 1

atresia ani, choanal atresia, & wry face

Question 2

what is the classic case presentation of atresia ani?

Answer 2

tenesmus in a newborn, abdominal pain, & abdominal distension

Question 3

what is the classic case presentation of choanal atresia?

Answer 3

very common - unilateral or bilateral, respiratory distress in a neonate especially when nursing, & aspiration pneumonia

Question 4

what is the classic case presentation of wry face?

Answer 4

laterally deviated maxilla, dental malocclusion, tear staining due to obstruction of nasolacrimal duct, and potentially nasal occlusion

Question 5

how is atresia ani diagnosed?

Answer 5

failure of dorsal membrane between the rectum & anus to rupture during development

Question 6

how is choanal atresia diagnosed?

Answer 6

choane fail to open during embryonic development

Question 7

how are the most common inherited/congenital disorders of camelids prevented?

Answer 7

do not breed affected animals or parents of affected animals

Question 8

how are the most common inherited/congenital disorders of camelids treated?

Answer 8

not treated because rarely successful - euthanasia

Question 9

what two inherited/congenital disorders can occur together in camelids?

Answer 9

choanal atresia & wry face

Question 10

what defects are fairly common in south american camelids?

Answer 10

urogenital, ocular, & cardiac

Question 11

what is the purpose of C1?

Answer 11

fermentation compartment, esophageal groove present, together with C2 similar to rumenoreticulum in ruminants

Question 12

what is the purpose of C2?

Answer 12

smallest compartment, mostly glandular epithelium, & divisions that form a reticular pattern

Question 13

what is the purpose of C3?

Answer 13

mostly glandular, distal 5th secretes acid similar to a monogastric stomach/abomasum, & fluid reabsorption

Question 14

what is the classic case presentation of gastric ulcers in camelids?

Answer 14

decreased appetite, colic, frequent kushing, depression, melena, hypersalivation, & bruxism

Question 15

how are gastric ulcers diagnosed in camelids?

Answer 15

usually occur in distal C3 or proximal duodenum - presumptive diagnosis based on history & clinical signs

Question 16

how are gastric ulcers in camelids treated?

Answer 16

oral meds are generally unsuccessful, parenteral omeprazole, parenteral abx, & stress reduction

Question 17

when do clinical signs related to gastric ulcers in camelids usually occur?

Answer 17

3-5 days after stressful event

Question 18

T/F: gastric ulcers of camelids are likely stress-related to things such as environmental changes, isolation, injury, or illness

Answer 18

TRUE

Question 19

what is the classic case presentation of mites in camelids?

Answer 19

alopeica (especially between the toes with chorioptic mange), pruritus, hyperkeratosis, & scaling

Question 20

what is the classic case presentation lice in camelids?

Answer 20

biting lice - ragged fiber coat with matting/fiber loss, rubbing against fences/trees due to pruritus, & scaling around base of tail/sides of neck/sides of body

Question 21

what is the classic case presentation of sucking lice in camelids?

Answer 21

anemia, pruritus, & scaling around the flanks, head, neck, & withers

Question 22

what is the classic case presentation of ticks in camelids?

Answer 22

lower motor neuron paralysis (flaccid), horner syndrome, & head tilt/nystagmus

Question 23

what mites often affect camelids? how are they diagnosed?

Answer 23

sarcoptes, psoroptes, & chorioptes - deep skin scrapes or biopsy

Question 24

what lice affect camelids? how are they diagnosed?

Answer 24

damalinia breviceps (biting) & microthoracius cameli (sucking) - remove with transparent tape & observe with magnifying glass or microscope

Question 25

how are mites on camelids treated?

Answer 25

parenteral ivermectin every 10-14 days, chorioptes/sarcoptes may require additional topical therapy, prevention includes treating new herd additions & animals returning from travel

Question 26

how are sucking lice treated in camelids? how are biting lice treated in camelids? how are they prevented?

Answer 26

sucking: parenteral ivermectin, biting: topical synthetic pyrethrins, & prevention is the same used for mites

Question 27

how are ticks on camelids treated?

Answer 27

manual removal, pyrethrin spray, & ivermectin

Question 28

why are topical products not as helpful for ectoparasites on llamas/alpacas?

Answer 28

they don’t contain lanolin which hinders the spread of topical products

Question 29

what is the classic case of mycoplasmosis in camelids?

Answer 29

pale mucus membranes, chronic weight loss, lethargy, & depression

Question 30

what is the etiology of mycoplasmosis in camelids?

Answer 30

mycoplasma haemolamae

Question 31

how is mycoplasmosis in camelids diagnosed?

Answer 31

anemia, organisms visualized on blood smear, & PCR

Question 32

how is mycoplasmosis in camelids treated?

Answer 32

long acting tetracyclines

Question 33

how is mycoplasmosis transmitted in camelids?

Answer 33

insects, contaminated needles, & transplacental

Question 34

T/F: a chronic carrier state of mycoplasmosis is common in camelids once they are infected

Answer 34

TRUE

Question 35

T/F: many camelids are infected with mycoplasmosis but they only become clinical after stress or immunosuppression

Answer 35

TRUE

Question 36

what is the classic case presentation of coccidiosis in camelids?

Answer 36

diarrhea, weight loss, lethargy/weakness, depression, colic, tachycardia, ascites, neuro signs secondary to cerebral edema, & sudden death

Question 37

what is the etiology of coccidiosis in camelids? how is it diagnosed?

Answer 37

eimeria macusaniensis (large coccidiosis) - multiple sugar fecal floats, hypoproteinemia, & hypoalbuminemia

Question 38

how is coccidiosis in camelids treated?

Answer 38

oral ponazuril & parenteral sulfadimethoxine

Question 39

what is the most pathogenic coccidia in camelids?

Answer 39

e. macusaniensis

Question 40

what is the classic case presentation of hepatic lipidosis in camelids?

Answer 40

anorexia/weight loss, icterus, depression/lethargy, ascites, diarrhea, hepatic encephalopathy, recumbency, & sudden death

Question 41

what lab values are elevated in camelids with hepatic lipidosis?

Answer 41

non-esterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate, bile acids, GGT, SDH, AST, bilirubin, ammonia, & sometimes BUN/creatinine

Question 42

what lab values are decreased in camelids with hepatic lipidosis?

Answer 42

albumin, total protein, glucose

Question 43

how is hepatic lipidosis in camelids diagnosed?

Answer 43

liver biopsy is definitive

Question 44

what supportive care is used for camelids with hepatic lipidosis?

Answer 44

iv fluids, glucose, analgesia, parenteral omeprazole, provide a companion animal, & frequent walks

Question 45

what nutritional support is used for camelids with hepatic lipidosis?

Answer 45

increase oral food/fluid intake (high carb low fat), for severe cases, tube feeding, parenteral (must have higher concentrations of amino acids than other species), & yogurt

Question 46

how is hepatic lipidosis prevented in camelids?

Answer 46

check BCS 4-6 times a year, check pregnant/lactating females monthly, regular forage testing, clostridial vaccination, & make sure food intake is adequate in sick animals

Question 47

hepatic lipidosis in camelids is associated with what type of diet?

Answer 47

diet high in mature grass forage

Question 48

T/F: hepatic lipidosis in camelids may be stress related from things such as illness, isolation, & pregnancy

Answer 48

TRUE

Question 49

T/F: in a camelid with hepatic lipidosis, continuous rise of BUN & creatinine in spite of supportive care are poor prognostic indicators

Answer 49

TRUE

Question 50

what is the prognosis of hepatic lipidosis in camelids?

Answer 50

guarded - recovery may take weeks to months