T-cell-lymphoma presented as a solitary subcutaneous mass in the ventral cervical region of an adult llama- diagnostic and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Neoplasm in South American camelids (SAC) are commonly described. The most frequently reported type of neoplasm are lymphomas and difference in the age suffering from lymphomas of and llamas is seen. This report describes a case of a solitary lymphoma in a 5 years and 9 month old llama mare displaying the approach of diagnostic imaging and successful surgical treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: The llama was referred to the clinic for dyspnoea and inspiratory abnormal respiratory sounds. The clinical examination comprised blood cell count, ultrasonographic and radiographic examinations, endoscopy and fine needle aspiration cytology of a mass detected in the mid cervical region. The mass was surgically removed. Histopathological examination of the surgically removed mass diagnosed a malignant T-cell- lymphoma. According to the results of the clinical, ultrasonographic and radiographic examinations no tumor invasion was apparent in distant organs and the llama was discharged from the clinic seven days after surgery. CONCLUSION: Lymphoma has been reported to be the most common neoplasia in camelids and are more often described in young alpacas and in adult llamas. To the author´s knowledge the case presented here is the first that described a broad panel of diagnostic tools including ultrasound, radiographs, endoscopy, fine needle aspiration cytology and histopathoogical examination as well as a successful surgical treatment of a solitary lymphoma in camelids.

A potential treatment approach for subclinical mastitis in dairy cows: auriculotherapy of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve.

This research aims to test the hypothesis that neural therapy (NT) on the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (ABVN) in dairy cows diagnosed with subclinical mastitis (SCM) results in a reduction of the somatic cell count. Therapeutic options for SCM are mostly based on use of antibiotics and often lead to unsatisfactory results. An alternative therapy targeting the anti-inflammatory properties of the vagus nerve showing good efficacy, economic viability and without major side effects would be of considerable interest. Auriculotherapy (AT) was performed using three repeated infiltrations of 8.0 mg (0.4 ml) procaine hydrochloride (2%) at the location of the ear tag associated with the auricular acupuncture point (AAP) of the udder. Some 85 clinically healthy cows from nine dairy farms were sampled for evaluation of quarter somatic cell count (QSCC) on four days (d0, d2, d4 and d6). Quarters with a QSCC > 100 000 cells/ml on d0 were included in the analysis. Over the study period, a total of 784 quarters were analysed, 385 control (CON) quarters from 40 cows and 399 treated (TRE) quarters from 45 cows. Results showed that AT of the ABNV resulted in a significant reduction of the QSCC after three treatments. The effect was independent of bacteriological culture results of the quarter milk samples. The bacteriological cure rate, however, was not influenced by AT. To our knowledge this is the first report of AT reducing QSCC in dairy cows with SCM. Before AT can be regarded as an alternative therapeutic approach, further research should focus on possible long-term effects of AT on the reduction of SCC, any bacterial elimination and the neural pathways of AT in dairy cows with SCM.

Llamas and alpacas in Europe: Endoparasites of the digestive tract and their pharmacotherapeutic control.

There are distinctive specifications for veterinary medical care of South American camelids (SACs), namely, llamas, alpacas, vicunas and guanacos. Camelids are classified as food-producing animals, but as veterinary medicinal products are often only licensed for domestic food-producing species such as horses, goats, sheep and cattle, treatment of SACs generally requires off-label use of drugs. Endoparasitism is a major health concern in camelids and can result in severe clinical diseases and economic losses. There is still a lack of work on the pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy for most antiparasitic drugs used in SACs. Even when choosing an appropriate route of administration, several aspects must be considered such as the fact that pour-on formulations are largely ineffective in camelids due to the unique features of llama and alpaca skin and hair that result in extremely low drug bioavailability. This review focuses on the main endoparasites of the digestive tract in llamas and alpacas in Europe and pharmacotherapeutic options based on current knowledge.

Efficacy and safety of oral praziquantel against Dicrocoelium dendriticum in llamas.

Dicrocoelium dendriticum can cause severe pathological changes of the liver and bile system in camelids, and therapeutic options for treatment are limited. To address this problem, the efficacy of two different dose rates of praziquantel was investigated in llamas suffering from natural D. dendriticum infections. 53 llamas were examined under field conditions on two occasions: before and two weeks after treatment. At the beginning of the study, the animals were weighed, randomly allocated to one of the treatment groups (n=21 each) or the control group (n=11) and dosed orally using a praziquantel-containing paste (250 mg/ml) at a dose of either 25 mg (group 1) or 50 mg (group 2) per kg of body weight. Criteria for efficacy were faecal egg count reduction (FECR) and extensity effect. Animals treated with 25 mg/kg of body weight showed a FECR of 85%. Therapy with 50 mg/kg led to a FECR of 91%. Almost twice the number of animals of group 1 (33%) still shed eggs two weeks after treatment compared with group 2. The results of this study indicate that 50 mg/kg oral praziquantel is required for efficacious dosing and that this dose rate is safe in llamas and thus is recommended for the treatment of camelids naturally infected with D. dendriticum.