Suspected nutritional deficiency causing anaemia in llamas (Lama glama).
A case of poor condition and recumbency in a 14-month-old female llama and a case of poor condition and ataxia in a 23-month-old male llama are described. Both animals were anaemic and had low plasma copper levels. An increased intake of feed with a higher copper level and treatment with copper injections and an oral mineral solution resulted in a successful recovery. Two other young llamas also had low plasma copper levels. The problem was probably due to a nutritional, particularly copper, deficiency and the animals recovered as their copper levels increased.
Andrews
A H
AH
Department of Farm Animal and Equine Medicine and Surgery, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hatfield.
Cox
A
A
D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002161:Camelids, New World; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis
D012987:Soil; D003300:Copper