Abstract

A 3-year-old llama and a 14-year-old alpaca both independently presented with hazy abdomen discomfort symptoms.The alpaca’s blood work was ordinary, but the llama’s blood work revealed symptoms of infection, and both animals’ abdominal ultrasonography was clear. In both cases, abdominal radiography identified a metallic gastrointestinal foreign body. The foreign entities were removed from the proximal duodenum in the llama and the C3 compartment in the alpaca through a ventral midline laparotomy. Both camelids received supportive care, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and broad-spectrum antibiotics. After their surgeries, the alpaca and llama were released from the hospital 16 and 8 days later, respectively. While the llama was doing well 4 months after being released, the alpaca was put to death 2 months later due to recumbency of unclear aetiology. This article suggests that hardware disease should be regarded as a differential diagnosis and highlights the use of abdominal radiography in camelids exhibiting vague clinical indications.

Background: In camelids, digestive disorders are typical, and llamas and alpacas are particularly susceptible. Due to the hazy clinical symptoms displayed by the majority of patients and the restrictions placed on rectal examination due to patient size, diagnosing gastrointestinal illnesses in camelids is difficult 1, 2. 1 Therefore, it is likely that surgical abdominal emergencies go undiagnosed, and doctors should concentrate on early identification and prompt surgical management. Compared to cattle, who frequently present with traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP), also known as
“hardware disease,” llamas and alpacas are selective eaters2 and are thought to be far less prone to consume metallic foreign items. 3, 4 The diagnosis, course, and prognosis of this disease in camelids are all poorly understood. To study abdominal diseases in camelids, physical examination, complete blood count (CBC), chemistry analysis, and abdominal ultrasonography are widely used 1, 2, but abdominal radiography is the gold standard for finding TRP in cattle. 3, 5, 6 The difficulties in diagnosing, treating, and providing post-operative care for camelids presenting to a teaching hospital with gastrointestinal metallic foreign bodies are discussed in this case report.