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

Abstract

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.

Reproductive Losses and Their Causes in Alpacas—A Survey-Based Study

“…It can be presumed that the disease may have caused fetal death, which was difficult to prove unambiguously since no post-mortem examination was performed. This finding was also confirmed by Rüfli et al [ 41 ]. This phenomenon can be considered dangerous, as the alpaca owner may not be aware of the infectious disease, which may be harmless to adult animals but may induce miscarriage and stillbirth, thereby significantly reducing the reproductive success in the herd.…”

“…[ 38 , 40 ]. Mixed infections (usually bacterial) have been indicated as the diagnosed causes of miscarriages by Rüfli et al [ 41 ]. It was difficult to identify the main cause in autopsy (most likely the miscarriages were a result of severe stress or a disease being an indirect cause).…”

Switzerland-wide Neospora caninum seroprevalence in female cattle and identification of risk factors for infection

“…These can remain infectious in the environment for months, especially at mild temperatures and in humid conditions ( 6 ) until they are ingested by intermediate hosts (horizontal transmission). Bovids are the main natural intermediate hosts of N. caninum , but the infection has been also recorded in small ruminants ( 8 ), South American camelids ( 9 , 10 ), cervids ( 11 ), pigs ( 12 ), birds ( 13 ), and small rodents ( 14 , 15 ). Depending on the source of the primary infection, two modes of vertical transmission have been described in cattle.…”