title: Calcific band keratopathy in an alpaca.
abstract: A 4-year-old female Suri alpaca was presented for evaluation of acute onset weakness, lethargy, and recent development of opacities in both eyes. On ophthalmic examination, bilaterally symmetrical corneal opacities were noted along the interpalpebral fissures with a few corneal blood vessels intermingled. A presumed diagnosis of calcific band keratopathy was made based on location and appearance. The patient was euthanized a short while after diagnosis due to reasons unrelated to the eyes and histologic examination of the corneas revealed subepithelial calcium and vascularization, consistent with calcific band keratopathy. This case report is the first to document this ocular condition in an alpaca.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Pucket
authors.forename: Melanie J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Boileau
authors.forename: Mee Ja M
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sula
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002161:Camelids, New World; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female
keywords: alpaca; band keratopathy; calcium; cornea