Anaemia in Goats and Camelids

aetiology of haemonchosis anaemia goats

feeds on blood by piercing stomach lining

-haemonchus contortus

clinical signs of haemonchosis goats

-severe anaemia

-bottle jaw (oedema of jaw)

-lethargy

-weight loss

-poor BCS

-sudden death

reduced milk yield,

usually no diarrhoea.

What blood smear finding is associated with oxidative plant toxicity?

Heinz bodies (clumped Hg inside RBC's)

Why does bottle jaw occur in haemonchosis?

Hypoproteinaemia causes submandibular oedema.

diagnostic options for haemonchosis goats

-FEC

-PM exam

-clinical signs

-famacha scoring

-PCV

treatment for haemonchosis goats

anthelmintics with narrow spec like ivermectin

Blood transfusion if severe

control measures of haemonchosis goats

-worming protocol

-pasture management

-avoid overstocking

-fec monitoring

-quarentine and faecel test new animals

fascioliasis goats

fasciola hepatica

signs of fasciola hepatica goats

-anaemia

-weight loss

-illthrift

-pale mm

-liver enlargement

diagnosis of fascioliasis goats

-FEC

-antibody ELISA

-faecal coproantigen

-PM exam

-liver enzymes

-us

treatment for fascioliasis goats

flukicides such as triclabendazole

control of fascioliasis goats

-avoid high risk pasture

-biosecurity

-fence off wet areas

lice aetiology in goats causing anaemia

-chewing such as Bovicola caprae

suckling lice such as Linognathus stenopsis

signs of bovicola caprae goats

-scratching

-rubbing

-dull and matted coat

-hair loss

diagnosis of lice goats

find eggs when brush through

treatment of lice goats

topical insecticides like permethrin

Pyrethrins and pyrethroids

control measures for bovicola caprae goats

-quarantine animals

-maintain good hygeine

-ensure goats well nourished and less stressed

plant toxicity aetiology goats

-Allium has haemolytic compounds causing haemolysis, jaundice, anaemia

-Brassica = glucosinolates causing thyroid/weightloss

-Dog's mercury = saponins/mercurialine causing vomiting and diarrhoae

signs of plant toxicity goats

-digestive issues

-neuro problems like staggering and weakness

-resp distress

-sudden death

diagnosis of plant toxicity goats

-history

-clinical signs

-bloods of cbc

-serum biochem

-blood smear

treatment of plant toxicity goats

-activated charcoal

-milk of magnesia

-liquid paraffin

-supportive

control for toxic plant goats

remove them

prevent access to garden waste

mycoplasma haemolamae cause of anaemia camelids

-attach to surface of RBCs, RBCs recignised as foreign causing premature destruction

signs of mycoplasma haemolamae camelids

-acute collapse

-chronic weight loss

-depression

-lethargy

-pale mm

diagnosis of mycoplasma haemolamae camelids

-Pcr

-Haem

-Pcv

-Blood smear

treatment of mcyoplasma haemolamae camelids

oxytetracycline or doxycycline

-chronic carrier state persists after treatment

supportive care

control of mycoplasma haemolamae camelids

-min stress and insect vectors with insecticides

-avoid blood borne transmission through strict hygiene

-screen blood donors

-Quarentine new animals

how does haemonchus contortus camelids cause anaemia

Blood feeding nematode in C3

signs of haemonchus contortus

anaemia

-weakness

-poor BCS

-bottle jaw

-sudden death

diagnosis of haemonchus contortus

-FEC

-PM exam

-famacha?

treatment of haemonchus contortus

-anthelmintics: closantel

-Supportive care: fluids and transfusion

control measures for haemonchus contortus

-Routine monitoring

-pasture rotation

lice causing anaemia in camelids

feed excessively on blood

signs of lice in camelids

-itching

-anaemia

-poor coat

diagnosis of lice in camelids

-tape impressions

-trichograms

-skin scrape and biopsy

treatment of lice in camelids

-macrocyclic lactones like ivermectin for sucking lice

-biting lice-pyrethrin based

control measures for lice in camelids

-biosecurity

-good nutrition

-hygiene

C3 ulcer in camelids cause of anaemia

- Ulcer in third gastric compartment causes bleeding

signs of C3 ulcer camelids

-Colic

-Lower feed intake

-Depression

-Dcrs faecal output

meleana

diagnosis of C3 ulcer camelids

-Clinical signs

-Abdominocentesis

-Blood work

-US

-Endoscope

treatment for C3 ulcer camelids

-Proetin pump inhibitors: omeprazole

-Gastroprotectant

-Supportive care

-nsaids

control measures for C3 ulcer camelids

-Reduce stress

-Avoid isolation

-No overgrowding

-No abrupt environmental changes

diet

Camelids are particularly well adapted to tolerate anaemia, why might this be?

Camelids (alpacas and llamas) appear to have greater physiologic adaptation to low packed cell volumes (PCV) and anaemia than many other domestic species

-better adapted to chronic or moderate anaemia, but this does not mean they are immune, severe acute anaemia still carries high risk of mortality

You are called to see a herd of grazed milking goats. They present with anaemia, bottle jaw and reduced milk yield. They are not exhibiting diarrhoea. The grazed pastures are very dry.

What is your top differential and why?

Haemonchosis (Haemonchus contortus)

>Anaemia and bottle jaw are classic signs of blood‑sucking gastrointestinal nematodes.

>Lack of diarrhoea fits Haemonchus infection (unlike Trichostrongylus or Teladorsagia, which may cause diarrhoea).

>Goats on dry pasture still ingest infective larvae present in residual pasture or from prior contamination.

>Reduced milk yield aligns with chronic blood loss and poor condition caused by Haemonchus.

If the pasture was wet, would your differential change? If yes, what to?

• fasciola hepatica becomes higher

• but haemonchus contortus still there

What post-mortem finding is characteristic of severe haemonchosis?

Numerous barber pole worms in the abomasum.

Which parasite commonly causes severe anaemia without diarrhoea in both goats and camelids?

Haemonchus contortus.

What stressors may precipitate Mycoplasma haemolamae disease?

Transport, handling and TB testing.

Why might ivermectin treatment fail in camelids with haemonchosis?

Anthelmintic resistance.

How might you diagnose these differentials?

FAMACHA scoring – checks mucous membrane colour for anaemia

Faecal egg count (FEC) – quantify nematode eggs per gram

Post-mortem – abomasal worms, if severe mortality occurs.

Packed cell volume (PCV) / Haematology – confirm anaemia

You are called to see a recently purchased 4-year-old female alpaca who is reported to be lethargic and losing weight. The alpaca was TB tested before arriving at the farm and treated on arrival with subcutaneous ivermectin. On clinical examination they have a heart rate of 120 (rr 60-90), a respiratory rate of 40 (rr 10-30) and a temperature of 37.8 (rr 37.5 – 38.9). There is no evidence of diarrhoea, GI disturbance, dental disease, or ectoparasites, but they are anaemic (FAMACHA score 4).

What are your main differentials?

• haemonchus contortus

  • H. contortus has widespread anthelmintic resistance to macrocyclic lactones (ivermectin).

  • injectable ivermectin often fails to reach effective therapeutic concentrations in camelid C3 mucosa compared to higher-dose oral formulations.

• fasciola hepatica

  • ivermectin has no efficacy against flukes

• coccidiosis

• mycoplasma haemolamae

• c3 ulceration→ stressful event but no git disturbances

How could you diagnose these differentials?

• Packed Cell Volume (PCV) / Total Protein (TP): Confirm severity of anaemia and check for hypoalbuminaemia.

• Faecal Analysis: Run a faecal float/McMaster for H. contortus and an E. mac specific faecal sedimentation/floatation.

• Blood Smear & PCR: Perform a fresh blood smear and Mycoplasma haemolamae PCR.

• Blood Gas / Biochemistry: Check for acidosis, electrolyte imbalances, and renal/hepatic markers.

What additional tests could help rule out other causes such as C3 ulcers, chronic disease, or mineral deficiencies?

haem and biochemistry,→ leukogram, inflam markers, liver enzymes etc

faecal occult blood test,

abdominal ultrasound→ assess thickness, free fluid

• Abdominocentesis

serum copper/cobalt levels,

faecal PCR for Johne’s.

Serum Urea:Creatinine Ratio→ In upper GI bleeding, digested blood proteins are absorbed as urea.

• An elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) with normal creatinine strongly suggests upper GI ulceration or blood loss.

what is Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)

• Confirms micro-haemorrhage into the GI tract when overt melena is absent. (Note: Fast camelids on a strict grain/hay diet or avoid green pasture for 48 hours prior to testing to avoid false positives).

What issues do we encounter regarding medicines for treatment of these conditions in goats?

Medicines labelled specifically for goats are limited→ used off‑label in goats.

-Goats often have different pharmacokinetics (higher metabolism, faster clearance) than sheep/cattle, meaning doses may be incorrect and efficacy may be reduced, increasing risk of resistance (e.g., in Haemonchus contortus).

-Withdrawal times for meat and milk are often not well defined for goats for many products

-Resistance

-In plant‑toxicity cases, specific antidotes may not exist or may not be approved for goats, limiting therapeutic options and relying on supportive care only.

how can we resolve the issues seen in medicating goats

-Monitor efficacy: faecal egg counts reduction tests (FECRT) to detect resistance and adjust protocols accordingly.

-Improve husbandry and management (pasture rotation, sanitation, nutrition) to reduce reliance on medicines.

-Ensure proper dosing (based on accurate weight, correct species label) and ensure withdrawal times are respected to maintain food safety.