Congenital/Hereditary Conditions

Camelidae

“…Reproductive tract defects are also common in NW camelids. In a Peruvian study, 10% of the animals studied had one or more abnormalities (Fowler, 2010a;Sumar, 1989). Defects include uterine fistulae or agenesis/hypogenesis of the uterus or vagina (with secondary mucometra and dilation), intersexes, cryptorchidism, penile hypoplasia or malformation, retained penile frenulum, and testicular cysts.…”

“…Teratogens and viral infections as well as nutritional deficiencies are likely additional contributing factors. Fowler has generated an extensive list of defects in NW camelids that have been reported in the literature or have been personally observed or communicated (Fowler, 2010a). Of these, the most common are angular limb deformities, polydactyly, hemivertebra, and cranial dysgenesis.…”

“…Due to the obligate nasal breathing of crias, choanal atresia, characterized by the presence of a membranous or bony partition between the nasal cavity and the pharynx, is an often lethal defect (Fowler, 2010a;Gerros and Stone, 1994). In some cases, atresia may be incomplete and lead to partial respiratory obstruction.…”

Diseases of the Cardiovascular and Hemolymphatic Systems

“…A large variety of congenital heart defects has been described in camelids, including VSD and atrial septal defect (ASD), vascular ring anomalies, endocardial cushion defects, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), pseudotruncus arteriosus, persistent truncus arteriosus, transposition of the great vessels (TGV), pulmonic stenosis, double outlet right ventricle, mitral and tricuspid valve dysplasia, and tricuspid valve atresia. 3,10,[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Nineteen cases of congenital heart disease in llamas were identified from 1980 to 1990 at the University of California, Davis, and of these, 11 had VSDs, 4 had TGV, 2 had ASDs, 1 had ToF, and 1 had PDA (Dr. W.P. Thomas, personal communication).…”

“…3,10,12,14 VSDs often occur as isolated abnormalities, but they sometimes represent only one component of a more complex cardiac malformation. Accompanying congenital heart defects identified in camelids complaints for animals with large VSDs include poor growth, increased time spent in recumbency, and exercise intolerance marked by open-mouthed breathing or recumbency after physical exertion.…”