Collection and analysis of peritoneal fluid from healthy llamas and alpacas.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a technique for abdominocentesis in camelids and report peritoneal fluid biochemical and cytologic findings from healthy llamas and alpacas.


METHODS
Prospective study. Animals-17 adult llamas and 5 adult alpacas.


METHODS
Right paracostal abdominocentesis was performed. Peritoneal fluid was collected by gravity flow into tubes containing potassium-EDTA for cell count and cytologic evaluation and lithium heparin for biochemical analysis. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture into heparinized tubes at the same time. Cytologic components were quantified. Fluid pH and concentrations of total carbon dioxide, sodium, potassium, chloride, lactate, and glucose were compared between peritoneal fluid and venous blood.


RESULTS
All but 3 camelids had peritoneal fluid cell counts of < 3,000 nucleated cells/microL, with < 2,000 neutrophils/microL and < 1,040 large mononuclear cells/microL. All but 1 had peritoneal fluid protein concentrations of > or = 2.5 g/dL. Peritoneal fluid of camelids generally contained slightly less glucose, lactate, and sodium and roughly equal concentrations of potassium and chloride as venous blood.


CONCLUSIONS
Peritoneal fluid was collected safely from healthy camelids. Compared with blood, peritoneal fluid usually had a low cell count and protein concentration, but some individuals had higher values. Electrolyte concentrations resembled those found in blood. High cell counts and protein concentrations found in peritoneal fluid of some healthy camelids may overlap with values found in diseased camelids, complicating interpretation of peritoneal fluid values.
Cebra
Christopher K
CK
Department of Clinical Sciences and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-4802, USA.
Tornquist
Susan J
SJ
Reed
Shannon K
SK
D000818:Animals; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology*; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary*; D002161:Camelids, New World / Q000502:physiology*; D002712:Chlorides / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D007773:Lactates / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012016:Reference Values; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D013046:Specific Gravity
D002712:Chlorides; D007773:Lactates; D011506:Proteins; D012964:Sodium; D005947:Glucose; D011188:Potassium