Between Dec 19, 2024 and Jan 2, 2025, datasets can be submitted to DRUM but will not be processed until after the break. Staff will not be available to answer email during this period, and will not be able to provide DOIs until after Jan 2. If you are in need of a DOI during this period, consider Dryad or OpenICPSR. Submission responses to the UDC may also be delayed during this time.
 

Diseases of New World Camelids

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Persistent link to this item

Statistics
View Statistics

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Title

Diseases of New World Camelids

Published Date

2014-05

Publisher

Type

Thesis or Dissertation

Abstract

Knowledge of medical conditions that affect camelids has increased greatly in recent years. However, sometimes the first signs of illness in camelids can be subtle and nonspecific or animals may be found dead with no abnormalities observed. The purpose of this study was to catalog the fatal conditions seen in camelids in the Upper Midwest in order to recognize trends and ultimately to prevent disease. The reports of 234 alpacas and 125 llamas submitted to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UM VDL) for post&#8208;mortem examination from 2001 to 2011 were reviewed. The cause of death was identified in 73% of the cases. The digestive system was the most common site of the major disease condition, accounting for 29% of alpacas and 31% of llamas. In adults, gastrointestinal parasitism associated with emaciation, neoplasia, and hepatic lipidosis were among the most common diagnoses identified. Meningeal worm (<italic>P. tenuis</italic>) was the most commonly identified cause of death associated with the nervous system in adults, since 13% of llamas and 2.4% of alpacas had central nervous system lesions consistent with verminous migration. The most common cause of death or euthanasia among alpaca crias was choanal atresia, which accounted for mortality in 19% of alpacas under 6 months of age. Other congenital abnormalities and bacterial infections were also common in neonates. In older crias (age 2 weeks to 6 months), enteritis and septicemia were most common. In conclusion, necropsy evaluation was successful in identifying the cause of death in the majority of camelids submitted to the UM VDL. The risk of morbidity or mortality related to many of the most common diseases identified in this study can be reduced by taking steps to ensure good husbandry practices, including close monitoring of body condition score, regular fecal testing to identify parasite burdens, basic biosecurity measures to limit spread of pathogens, and IgG measurement to ensure adequate passive transfer of immunity.

Description

University of Minnesota M.S. thesis. May 2014. Major: Veterinary Medicine. Advisor: Anna M. Firshman. 1 computer file (PDF); vi, 121 pages.

Related to

Replaces

License

Series/Report Number

Funding information

Isbn identifier

Doi identifier

Previously Published Citation

Other identifiers

Suggested citation

O'Conor Dowd, Mary Catherine. (2014). Diseases of New World Camelids. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/165576.

Content distributed via the University Digital Conservancy may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor. By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. Materials in the UDC may contain content that is disturbing and/or harmful. For more information, please see our statement on harmful content in digital repositories.