Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma associated with gastric ulcers in alpacas.

In pathological examinations, gastric ulcers are often detected in South American camelids. The aetiology cannot be clarified in every case. However, tumour-related gastric ulcers are observed repeatedly.

Characterization of white blood cell ratios in South American camelids presented at a veterinary teaching hospital.

White blood cell (WBC) ratios are used as diagnostic markers for various inflammatory or tumor diseases as well as stress in a broad range of species. The aim of this work was to provide data on five WBC ratios (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [NLR], band neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [BLR], band neutrophil-to-neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [BNLR], band neutrophil-to-neutrophil ratio [BNR] and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio [LMR]) in South American camelids (SAC) and characterize their association with demographic and important diagnostic parameters. Medical records of 307 SAC (275 alpacas, 32 llamas) that were presented at a veterinary teaching hospital were evaluated retrospectively.

The measurement of plasma fructosamine as a diagnostic tool to improve the interpretation of plasma glucose and proteins in alpacas (Vicugna pacos).

This study assesses the use of fructosamine as a diagnostic tool for hyperglycemia in alpacas in view of their sensitivity to stress and susceptibility to conditions like lipid mobilization syndrome. Plasma fructosamine, like in diagnosing diabetes in cats and dogs, can reveal long-term blood glucose trends, differentiating stress-induced spikes from persistent diabetic hyperglycemia. In 125 alpacas presented as patients of a veterinary clinic, plasma glucose and fructosamine concentrations were compared for correlations with findings of the general clinical examination, laboratory parameters, demographic data, and a behavioral stress assessment processed by using principal component analysis.

Clinical and hematological findings in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) with and without Candidatus Mycoplasma haemolamae infection.

Anemia is a common problem in South American camelids (SACs). Infections with Candidatus Mycoplasma haemolamae (CMh), a cell-wall free, hemotropic bacterium, are often suspected to be an important cause of anemia, as the pathogen infects the erythrocytes and is found in the blood of up to 30% of SACs. The information on the clinical signs of animals infected with this pathogen vary widely.

Fructosamine in llamas (Lama glama) is associated with sex, body condition score, and hematologic and serum parameters.

Objective: The objective of this study was to provide orientation values for fructosamine in adult llamas and to characterize relationships with other laboratory and clinical parameters.

Animals: Data from 22 healthy adult llamas of both sexes.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted with the findings of a veterinary herd visit from August 2022.

Relationships between body condition score, body weight and body measurements in alpacas.

Background: The nutritional status in alpacas is often masked by their dense fibre coat. Its assessment is commonly approached by different body condition scores (BCS) that rely on manual palpation of defined anatomical regions. However, BCS is an important diagnostic tool to aid recognition of diseased South American camelids (SACs) and low BCS has been associated with conditions like anaemia and neutrophilia.

Pathological findings in South American camelids presented at a farm animal clinic in Northern Germany (2005-2021).

To expand the knowledge about common diseases in llamas and alpacas in Germany, a screening of the cases of South American camelids presented at the Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany from 2005 to the end of November 2021 was performed. A retrospective evaluation of necropsy reports from this period was conducted. Overall, necropsy reports were evaluated from 187 alpacas, 35 llamas and one vicuña (n = 223).

Rhododendron poisoning in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in Northern Germany.

Poisoning is often suspected to be the origin of disease in South American camelids (SACs) by owners, but only in a few cases this assumption can be confirmed. In small ruminants, rhododendron poisoning is a common emergency for livestock veterinarians. However, this condition has rarely been reported in SACs so far.

Hematologic parameters in female alpacas during age progression: a retrospective study.

Alpacas, like all camelids, have elliptical red blood cells (RBCs) in contrast to other mammals. This particular shape is important for increased osmotic resistance and stability. Age-related changes in the RBC count are known in other species, with alterations in both red and white blood cells being described.

Body condition scoring in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas (Lama glama) - a scoping review.

Assessment of the body condition score (BCS) is an important tool to check the nutritional status of an animal, and thus can provide important information in herd management, but also in the veterinary examination of individual animals. In dairy farming, BCS has been recognized as an important parameter for a long time already, but over the years body condition scoring has also become more important for other species. Especially in South American camelids (SACs: alpacas and llamas), whose dense coat can hide a poor nutritional status for a long time, regular assessment of the BCS is recommended by different authors and organizations.

[Diaphragmatic hernia in a female alpaca (Vicugna pacos)].

A 3-year-old pregnant female alpaca was noticed due to increased lying and decreased feed intake after shearing. Twelve days after shearing, she aborted an almost completely developed cria. After another two days, the alpaca was recumbent and subsequently died during transport to the clinic.

Anaemia in South American camelids - an overview of clinical and laboratory diagnostics.

South American camelids (SACs) play an increasing role in veterinary care in Europe. Many alpacas or llamas presented to veterinarians suffer from anaemia, regularly with a packed cell volume (PCV) below 0.10 l/l, which is a life-threatening condition for the animals.

Teaching clinical hematology and leukocyte differentiation in veterinary medicine using virtual patients.

Due to contact restrictions imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we created a novel digital course on the Moodle learning platform for winter term in 2020. In the clinical pathology course (CPC) with hematological content, third-year students were able to work independently on 10 extra digital cases of internal medicine involving eight different animal species as a compensation for the reduction in traditional microscopy exercises. Each case presented was initiated using an anamnesis, also the participants to generate a differential blood count based on digitized leukocytes, previously been photographed using a microscope camera.

Severe anaemia secondary to a perforated gastric ulcer in a male alpaca.

Background: Anaemia is a common condition in alpacas and attributable to a variety of causes. Severe anaemia with a packed cell volume (PCV) less than 10% is frequently diagnosed, usually due to blood loss resulting from haemonchosis. Many South American camelids (SACs) also suffer from gastric ulcers, which are often associated with anaemia in other species.

The influence of different examiners on the Body Condition Score (BCS) in South American camelids-Experiences from a mixed llama and alpaca herd.

Particularly in unshorn llamas and alpacas with a dense fiber coat, changes in body condition often remain undetected for a long time. Manual palpation of the lumbar vertebrae is hence a simple and practical method for the objective assessment of body condition in South American camelids (SAC). Depending on tissue coverage, a body condition score (BCS) of 1 (emaciated) to 5 (obese) with an optimum of 3 is assigned.

Gastric Ulcers in Alpacas- Clinical, Laboratory, and Pathological Findings.

Gastric ulcers are a common finding in post-mortem examinations of South American camelids (SAC), but diagnosis in living animals is often difficult. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the incidence of gastric ulcers in alpacas, common concomitant diseases, and clinical as well as laboratory findings to facilitate diagnosis for veterinarians. For this purpose, a total of 187 necropsy reports of alpacas were evaluated, including clinical and laboratory findings on the living animal.

Case Report: Severe Anemia Associated With an Abomasal Fibrosarcoma in a Goat.

A 10-year-old female goat was presented to the clinic with lethargy, emaciation, and pale mucous membranes. Laboratory diagnosis revealed severe anemia with regenerative character as well as melena. Blood transfusions were administered, but the animal's condition continued to deteriorate, so it was euthanized.

Relationships between Body Condition Score (BCS), FAMACHA©-Score and Haematological Parameters in Alpacas and Llamas Presented at the Veterinary Clinic.

South American camelids (SAC) are being more and more presented at the veterinary Clinics in Germany. A bad nutritional condition, which can be easily categorized using a body condition score (BCS) of the animals, is often not noticed by the owners. Further anaemia is also often only detected in an advanced stage in SAC.

Calcinosis in Alpaca Crias Due to Vitamin D Intoxication-Clinical, Laboratory and Pathological Findings with a Focus on Kidney Function.

Alpacas kept in Central Europe are often deficient in vitamin D, which is supplemented orally or by injection by the owners or veterinarians. Vitamin D can be specified in two different units (IU and µg), which differ by a factor of 40. By mixing up these units, an overdosage can be induced.

Llama and Alpaca Management in Germany-Results of an Online Survey among Owners on Farm Structure, Health Problems and Self-Reflection.

An online survey of llama and alpaca owners was used to collect data on the population, husbandry, feeding, management measures and health problems. A total of 255 questionnaires were evaluated. In total, 55.

Calcinosis in a roe deer fawn (Capreolus capreolus) in northern Germany.

Background: Calcinosis has been reported for a broad range of different animals. Causes for calcinosis include metabolic disorders due to kidney failure, intoxication with calcinogenic plants, or iatrogenic overdose of vitamin D. Especially young animals seem to be very susceptible to developing calcinosis.

Laryngeal chondritis as a differential for upper airway diseases in German sheep.

Background: Ovine laryngeal chondritis is a rare entity of sheep in the USA, Great Britain, New Zealand and Iceland, but has not been reported in Germany so far. Here, two German cases are reported.

Case Presentation: Two rams showed severe and progressive signs of dyspnea.

[Practical experience in treating mandibular osteomyelitis ("lumpy jaw") with gamithromycin in a muntjac].

Mandibular osteomyelitis is common in domestic and wild ruminants. Inflammation of the mandible is not only caused by ssp., but numerous additional bacteria may also lead to this disease.

[Volvulus of the spiral colon in a pygmy goat buck].

In small ruminants intestinal volvulus is a rare finding and therefore only scarcely mentioned in the literature. The case report summarizes findings and clinical development of a pygmy goat with a volvulus of the spiral colon. The animal presented with a highly disturbed general condition and clinical signs of shock.