Failure of Passive Transfer in Camel Calves: 4 Cases (2010-2019)

Abstract

Failure of passive transfer is a management concern for all ruminant species, but is not well described in the literature for camel calves. This case series presents four camel calves (Camelus dromedarius and Camelus bactrianus) referred to a North American veterinary teaching hospital for diagnosis and management of failure of passive transfer. Diagnostics utilized included hematology, serum biochemistry, and immunologic methods as described for crias. Management included antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and plasma transfusion therapies. Three of the four calves survived to discharge, and common diagnostic practices such as evaluation of total solids, total protein, immunoglobulin G, and sodium sulfite appear to be correlate to passive transfer status in these four calves. Xenotransfusion with llama plasma was well tolerated by two calves, and xenotransfusion with bovine plasma was well tolerated by an additional calf in this study. An additional work is necessary to develop validated breakpoints for diagnosis of passive transfer status in camel calves.

Tooth Root Abscess and Mandibular Infections in Old World Camelids: 3 Cases

“…While the study utilized records from three different camels seen at different times by different treatment teams, it is unlikely that the process for diagnostic workup and therapeutic treatment of mandibular infections in camels has changed significantly during the study period. This study also utilized camels in their non-native habitat (North America), and while the population of camels in North America appears to be increasing [ 3 , 26 ], findings from this population may not be representative of camels in other regions.…”

Vertical transmission of Trypanosoma evansi in a dromedary camel calf that spontaneously recovered after colostrum consumption

“…The concentration of immunoglobulins in colostrum decreases dramatically after 24 hours of parturition, and it is essential that newborn calves ingest enough colostrum within that period to avoid failure of passive transfer. 6 In this report, we present a case of transplacental transmission of T. evansi in a camel calf that exhibited spontaneous recovery after ingestion of colostrum containing high levels of anti-Trypanosoma antibodies. Only one paper reported vertical transmission in dromedary camels, and to our knowledge, the current case report is the first to report it in an alive calf.…”

“…Camel calves are born agammaglobulinemic and rely solely on the passive transfer of immunoglobulins from colostrum to protect themselves against infection. The concentration of immunoglobulins in colostrum decreases dramatically after 24 hours of parturition, and it is essential that newborn calves ingest enough colostrum within that period to avoid failure of passive transfer 6 …”