Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Nasolacrimal duct blockage in alpacas with eye disease 2000-2023
By Baker, Madison R et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2024·College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Nasolacrimal duct obstruction prevalence is 0.3% among alpacas evaluated with ophthalmic disease at a veterinary teaching hospital between 2000 and 2023.
Plain-English summary
A group of 31 young alpacas and llamas were evaluated for a condition called nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction, which causes eye discharge. Most of these animals were under a year old, and the common sign was watery or discharging eyes. The blockage was often treated successfully through surgery or flushing the duct, with about 73% of the treated animals showing improvement in their symptoms. This condition is rare, affecting only 0.3% of the alpacas seen at the veterinary hospital during the study period.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction in hospital populations and assess signalment, diagnostics, and clinical approaches for alpacas and llamas diagnosed with NLD atresia or obstruction. ANIMALS: 29 alpacas and 2 llamas. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Medical records were reviewed to identify camelids with NLD evaluated between 2000 and 2023. Signalment, history, physical examination data, diagnosis, and treatments were recorded. Follow-up information was gathered via phone and email questionnaire. Data were evaluated to determine prevalence and describe signalment and treatments for NLD disease. RESULTS: 31 camelids met the inclusion criteria. A total of 8,027 alpacas and 1,998 llamas were seen within the study period at 1 teaching institution. The prevalence of NLD obstruction for this population of alpacas was 0.3% (26/8,027). Nineteen of 31 (61%) camelids presented at 1 year of age or younger. The most common physical exam finding was ocular discharge (68%). The most common diagnosis was NLD atresia (16/31 [51%]). Patency was established by surgical opening or lavage of the NLD. Long-term follow-up was available for 13 alpacas and 2 llamas, of which 11 (73%) had successful outcomes. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicate that NLD obstruction is a condition that most commonly affects alpacas < 1 year of age and is associated with a good prognosis for treatment success.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38640950/