29 Camelid Lecture 4: Neurology, Reproduction, Dermatology

Hind limb ataxia: can hear nails dragging on the floor when walking

What is the most common presentation in camelids that have meningeal worm (most common clinical sign)?

1. Deer proof fence

2. guinea hens

3. "grass free" fence line

4. Eliminate natural sources of water (slugs/snails)

How can you prevent meningeal worm in camelids?

Slugs and snails

The white tail deer is the definitive host for meningeal worm. What is the intermediate host that can spread it to camelids?

P. tenuis

What is the causative agent of meningeal worm?

1. Meningeal worm

2. Listeriosis

3. PEM

4. Trauma

5. Otitis

6. Hypernatremia

7. Meningitis

Name some of the more common causative agents of neurologic disease in camelids

Opisthotonos

What is the name for the position of this camelid?

Meningeal worm

note: listeriosis would also be a differential, but because of the hindlimb ataxia, you think more meningeal worm

A camelid presents with self inflicted trauma and hind limb ataxia. What is your top differential?

CSF --> see eosinophilic pleocytosis

How do you test a camelid for meningeal worm? What are you looking for?

Meningeal worm

With which neurologic disease do you see eosinophilic pleocytosis on CSF in camelids?

Fenbendazole + one time Ivermectin + steroids OR NSAIDs + supportive care

How do you treat meningeal worm in camelids?

Damage caused by the erratic parasite migration in the CNS

What actually causes the neurologic issues and damage from meningeal worm in camelids?

Positive result --> if you see eosinophilic pleocytosis, you know it is meningeal worm, but if you don't see this, you can't rule it out.

• Highly specific but not sensitive

Would you more trust a positive or negative result when you do CSF tap for meningeal worm in camelids?

Listeriosis

TREATMENT = antibiotics that cross blood brain barrier (penicillin, oxytet) for 7-21 days. NSAIDs & supportive fluids

A camelid presents with asymmetrical clinical signs, circling, and facial nerve paralysis. What is your top differential? How do you treat?

Microabscess in brainstem

100% of animals with listeriosis left untreated will die. What will you see on necropsy?

1. Thiamine deficiency, Vitamin B1 (most common)

2. Lead poisoning

3. Sodium toxicosis

Name some things that can cause polioencephalomalacia in camelids

Thiamine (Vitamin B1) RIGHT AWAY = fast improvement

How do you treat polioencephalomalacia in camelids?

Recover quickly (up to one week)

Camelids with polioencephalomalacia tend to not recover or recover quickly

Grey

Polioencephalomalacia refers to softening of the grey or white matter of the brain caused by thiamine deficiency

Thiamine producing bacteria located in the stomach will die off with issues = thiamine deficiency

Why are sudden dietary changes and issues with compartment 1 of the stomach related to polioencephalomalacia in camelids?

Central blindness (visual impairment but normal PLR)

What is a common clinical sign of polioencephalomalacia in camelids?

The sigmoid shape

What makes the ear canal difficult to evaluate in camelids with otitis?

Otitis

Listeria, actinomyces, streptococcus, and propionibacterium are common causes of WHAT issue in camelids?

Check ears for otitis

What should you always check when you have a neurologic patient camelid with Facial nerve paralysis and tremors?

Canal irrigation, topical/systemic antibiotics, ear canal ablation surgery

How do you treat otitis in camelids?

The tick saliva which contains a neurotoxin

What causes tick paralysis in camelids? What from the tick?

Dermacenter andersoni (rocky mountain wood tick) and Dermacenter variabilis (american dog tick)

What are the two common ticks which have the ability to cause tick paralysis in camelids?

Lower motor neuron tetraparesis (flaccid paralysis and unstable)

What clinical sign does tick paralysis cause in camelids?

Just remove the tick

What allows an animal to improve from tick paralysis?

Lockjaw, stiff and hyperreactive.

How does tetanus affect camelids?

Intention tremors and ataxia

Occipital semi lobar holoprosencephalopathy (not much division of hemispheres of the brain) congenital issues causes camelids to be born with WHAT clinical signs?

EEE, WNL (west nile), EHV-1

Name the viral causes of encephalitis in camelids?

37

All camelid species have how many chromosomes?

FALSE = they have fertile interspecies breeding

TRUE OR FALSE: Camelids have infertile interspecies breeding and should be avoided.

12 months of age

What age do male camelids become sexually interested in females?

3 years of age

What is the breeding age of camelid males?

18-24 months = because the penis will be adhered to the prepuce until this point and this is NORMAL

When do male camelids hit puberty? Why does this matter?

12-18 mo.

What is the ideal age of castration in camelids?

12-13 months (earlier than males) = they are capable of conception at 12 months

What age do female camelids hit puberty? Why does this matter?

They are INDUCED ovulators, no defined estrous cycle

How do camelids ovulate?

DO NOT = similar to horses

Camelids do or do not handle twin pregnancies well.

Cush position

Copulation in camelids lasts about 20 minutes. What position must the female be in?

about 345 days

How long is gestation in camelids?

Left (because it is bigger than the right)

Camelid pregnancy almost always occurs in WHICH horn?

Fescue = longer gestation

What do you want to make sure camelids do NOT eat during pregnancy?

Progesterone from CL

What hormone maintains camelid pregnancy?

Uterine torsion --> use vaginal exam to diagnose

A late gestation dam camelid has been mildly colicky for 5 days. The fetal heart rate is present on admission. What do you think is happening and how do you diagnose?

Roll or surgery

How would you correct uterine torsion in camelids?

Clockwise

Is it more common for uterine torsion in camelids to be clockwise or counterclockwise

Abberant behavior or berserk male syndrome

What is the name of the problem in male camelids that is caused by humans, when there is too much human handling before weaning so at sexual maturity, aggressive behavior begins towards humans?

Chorioptic mange

What type of mange is most common in camelids?

Zinc responsive dermatitis = zinc supplementation

What is a differential for this nonpruritic symmetrical lesion in a younger animal with darker hair coat? What vitamin do you want to supplement with?

Munge (aka idiopathic nasal/perioral hyperkeratotic dermatosis)

TREATMENT = antibiotics, zinc, topical steroids

This camelid is 1 year old and presents with hyperkeratotic crusting around the nostril and mouth. What is it and how do you fix it?

Follicular cyst

You palpate lumps in the lumbar area in this camelid. You determine it is non neoplastic. There is pasty, pigmented material inside. What is it?

Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus

What is the causative agent of Alpaca Fever leading to polyserositis, fever, and recumbency in camelids?