title: Clinical, ultrasonographic, and laboratory findings in 12 llamas and 12 alpacas with malignant round cell tumors.
abstract: Clinical signs, duration of illness, clinicopathologic findings, and ultrasonographic findings were evaluated in 12 llamas and 12 alpacas with malignant round cell tumors (MRCT). All but 1 animal died or was euthanized. Common clinical findings were anorexia, recumbency or weakness, and weight loss or poor growth. Peripheral lymphadenomegaly occurred in only 7 animals and was detected more often at necropsy than during physical examination. Common clinicopathologic abnormalities were hypoalbuminemia, acidosis, azotemia, anemia, hyperglycemia, and neutrophilia. Ultrasonography detected tumors in 4/6 animals. Cytologic evaluation of fluid or tissue aspirates or histopathology of biopsy tissue was diagnostic in 5/6 cases. A clinical course of 2 wk or less prior to death or euthanasia was more common in animals ≤ 2 y of age (9/11) than in older animals (6/13). Regular examination of camelids to include clinical pathology and evaluation of peripheral lymph nodes may result in early detection of MCRT.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA.
authors.forename: Jeanne M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Beth A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Valentine
authors.forename: Christopher K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Cebra
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D002161:Camelids, New World; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography; D015431:Weight Loss