Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Camel calf with severe lung and belly infection from Streptococcus
By Stoughton, William B & Gold, Jenifer·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2015·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus pleuropneumonia and peritonitis in a dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) calf in North America.
- Species:
- cattle
Plain-English summary
A 12-week-old female dromedary camel calf was brought in because she was not eating and seemed very tired. After a thorough examination, the veterinarian found signs of a serious infection affecting her lungs and abdomen. Tests revealed that the calf had septic pleuritis and peritonitis caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus. She was treated with intravenous antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication, and drainage of fluid from her chest, which led to a quick improvement in her condition. After 11 days in the hospital and continued treatment at home, the calf made a full recovery with no signs of relapse.
People also search for: camel calf not eating · dromedary camel infection treatment · camel pneumonia symptoms
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION: A 12-week-old female dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) calf was evaluated because of acute (< 24 hours) inappetence and lethargy. The calf was being bottle-fed because of maternal rejection. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Physical examination revealed decreased bronchovesicular sounds and absent borborygmi. The rectal temperature was 38.9°C (102.0°F). A CBC indicated leukopenia with a degenerative left shift suggestive of a systemic infection. Results of abdominal and thoracic ultrasonography showed severe bicavitary effusion, peripheral lung consolidation, and intestinal hypomotility. Pleural and peritoneal fluid analysis confirmed a diagnosis of septic pleuritis and peritonitis. Results of aerobic bacterial culture of venous blood, peritoneal fluid, and pleural fluid samples indicated Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus septicemia as the etiology for the polyserositis (ie, alpaca fever). TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Treatment with IV broad-spectrum antimicrobials, an NSAID, and pleural drainage was initiated. Clinical signs of pleuropneumonia, peritonitis, and systemic infection improved rapidly 24 hours after initiation of medical treatment. The calf was discharged from the hospital after 11 days, and antimicrobial treatment continued for 2 weeks after discharge. At follow-up approximately 4 weeks after hospital discharge (6 weeks after the initial examination), there were no clinical signs suggestive of relapse or any reported complications. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: S equi subsp zooepidemicus may cause polyserositis in Old World camelids (eg, dromedary camels) with signs similar to those seen in New World camelids (eg, alpaca and llama). The rapid response to medical treatment for the patient described suggested that S equi subsp zooepidemicus-induced polyserositis (alpaca fever) in dromedary camels may respond favorably to appropriate treatment. Reducing stress, reducing overcrowding, and separate housing of equids and camelids are suggested. Further studies are needed to better assess the epidemiology of alpaca fever in dromedary camels in North America.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26176731/