Cryptosporidiosis in 20 alpaca crias.
METHODS
20 alpaca crias (13 females and 7 males) were examined for diarrhea (n=20), weight loss (15), and poor appetite (5). Fourteen crias were between 8 and 18 days of age at time of admission.


RESULTS
Cryptosporidiosis was diagnosed in all crias. Common biochemical abnormalities included acidemia, hyperlactemia, azotemia, and hyperglycemia and increases in aspartate transaminase and gamma-glutamyltransferase activities. Serum sodium and chloride concentrations were high or low. Other potential gastrointestinal tract pathogens were identified in only 7 crias.


RESULTS
Supportive care was instituted, including i.v. administration of fluids with partial parenteral administration of nutrients (n=19 crias), antimicrobials (19), supplemental orally administered nutrients (11), administration of plasma (10), and insulin treatment (9). Other palliative treatments used by attending clinicians were sucralfate, flunixin meglumine, vitamin A/D/E/B complex, antiparasitic agents, antidiarrheal agents, and azithromycin. Three crias with inadequate urine production and severe azotemia were treated with furosemide administered i.v. as a bolus or as a constant-rate infusion. Treatment resulted in a successful outcome in 16 of 20 crias. Weight loss and refractory azotemia were common in nonsurvivors but not in surviving crias.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggested that Cryptosporidium spp may be a diarrheal pathogen of unweaned alpaca crias that may be more widespread than has been recognized and can become endemic on some farms. Metabolic derangements were unpredictable and should be determined by biochemical analysis before fluid and electrolyte replacement is initiated. Cryptosporidiosis has zoonotic potential, and the infection can be self-limiting in alpacas receiving supportive treatment.
Waitt
Laura H
LH
Mount Vernon Veterinary Hospital, 14110 Bradshaw Rd, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, USA.
Cebra
Christopher K
CK
Firshman
Anna M
AM
McKenzie
Erica C
EC
Schlipf
John W
JW
D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002161:Camelids, New World / Q000469:parasitology; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents