Anaemia is a common finding in South American camelids presented to the veterinary clinic. This report describes the case of a llama presented with general weakness and pale conjunctives, displaying severe anaemia with a Packed Cell Volume (PCV) of 6 per cent and suffering from haemonchosis. The animal was presented in lateral recumbency before being treated with whole blood transfusion. After administering a total volume of 850-ml blood, the clinical condition improved remarkably. Regeneration of the haematological parameters required several weeks, PCV increased from 6 per cent on day 0 to 23 per cent on day 28.

Background The physiology of sheep as small ruminants is remarkably different from monogastric animals especially regarding the forestomach system. Using sheep for surgical procedures during scientific research thereby presents an exceptional setting for the anaesthetist. Long-term anaesthesia generally demands deprivation of food to reduce the risk of bloat in sheep. This might influence the energy and electrolyte balance. In horses and companion animals, close monitoring of mean arterial blood pressure, capnography and blood gas analysis are common procedures during long-term surgery. However, few data are available on reference ranges for blood gas in sheep and these cover only short periods of anaesthesia. To the authors’ knowledge, there is no study available that includes the monitoring of electrolytes and pH in ruminal fluid and kidney function tests in sheep undergoing long term anaesthesia. Thereby, the aim of the present study was to gather data on blood parameters, and data on ruminal fluid and kidney function during long-term anaesthesia in sheep. Data were obtained from eight sheep undergoing the invasive surgical procedure of left pneumonectomy and auto-transplantation or isolated left lung perfusion. After a 19-h fasting period, the animals were administered xylazine and ketamine and then intubated and maintained in general anaesthesia under artificial ventilation using isoflurane in oxygen. Blood samples were evaluated during 9 h of anaesthesia; ruminal fluid and kidney function tests were evaluated during 7 h of anaesthesia. Results Blood parameters such as electrolytes and partial pressure of carbon dioxide revealed few changes, yet blood glucose decreased and beta-hydroxybutyric acid increased significantly. All animals showed an elevated arterial pH and bicarbonate concentration despite artificial ventilation. In ruminal fluid, the pH significantly decreased and no significant changes in electrolytes occurred. Kidney function tests revealed no significant changes in any of the animals. However, fractional excretion of water and phosphate was slightly increased. One animal showed severe complications due to hypokalaemia. Conclusion Invasive surgery under long-term anaesthesia in sheep is possible without great imbalances of arterial pH and electrolytes. Nevertheless, potassium concentrations should be monitored carefully, as a deficiency can lead to life-threatening complications. The operated sheep tended not to develop metabolic acidosis and the mean kidney function could be maintained within the physiological range throughout anaesthesia. However, slight elevations in renal fractional water and phosphate excretion could suggest an early tubular reabsorption dysfunction. In ruminal fluid, acidification occurred, though no significant changes were observed in l- and d-lactate levels or in electrolyte concentrations. To our knowledge, the role of the rumen in storing fluids and balancing electrolytes in the blood has not yet been documented during anaesthesia. However, the importance of the rumen for fluid equilibrium in sheep indicates the necessity for routine monitoring and further research.

ZusammenfassungBei kleinen Wiederkäuern ist ein Volvulus des Darms ein seltener, in der Literatur nur vereinzelt dokumentierter Befund. Der Bericht beschreibt den Fall eines Volvulus der Kolonscheibe bei einer Zwergziege. Das Tier zeigte ein hochgradig gestörtes Allgemeinbefinden mit Schockgeschehen und wies ein schmerzhaftes Abdomen sowie eine ballonartige Struktur im rechten dorsalen Abdomen auf. Bei der diagnostischen Laparotomie wurde eine Rotation der Kolonscheibe um 360° nach rechts diagnostiziert. Das Tier starb intraoperativ an einem Herz-Kreislauf-Versagen. Die Ursache des Volvulus bleibt ungeklärt.

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BackgroundAn infestation of bot fly larvae causes myiasis which is known to cause respiratory symptoms in ruminants. There are reports of bot fly larvae in llamas, but to our knowledge there are no previous reports of nasal myiasis due to bot flies in alpacas (“Vicugna pacos”).Case presentationThe following case report describes a neutered male alpaca showing sneezing and mild nasal discharge. Endoscopic examination of the upper respiratory tract revealed bot fly larvae in one nostril. After treatment with doramectin, there was no evidence of living bot fly larvae visible in the nostril.ConclusionBot fly larvae should be considered as a potential cause of respiratory symptoms in alpacas. In the present case, a treatment with doramectin was successful.