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Abdominal Ultrasound in Camelids: No Prob-Llama

By October 11, 2018August 28th, 2024No Comments

No Prob-Llama: Abdominal Ultrasound in Camelids

Abdominal ultrasonography is a useful adjunctive technique for camelids. 

It is a non-invasive, reproducible and inexpensive tool in the diagnosis of urolithiasis or gastrointestinal disease. 

Preparing for the Ultrasound Exam

    • Clipping the fibre is not always necessary, but it is recommended for obtaining the best possible images. After clipping, clean the skin, wipe with alcohol and apply ultrasound gel for best possible contact.
    • Soaking the fibre with copious amounts of alcohol/methylated spirits and part the fibres where you place the probe will help in unclipped animals.
    • Equipment: Ideally a convex probe (approx. frequency range 3.5-5MHz) is used but a rectal probe can be used for basic evaluations.

Ultrasound of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Left Side

  • Evaluate C1 motility & Size

The C1 compartment will usually encompass the entire left side of the abdomen.

The saccules of C1 give its’ wall a unique, hyperechoic appearance.

In cases of distal GI obstruction or ileus (due to enteritis), dilated small intestine (>1.5 cm diameter) may be seen in the caudal ventral left abdomen.

Right Side

Assess:

  • C2& C3
  • Duodenum
  • Distal small intestine
  • Colon

Note: C1 will normally extend to at least ventral midline, or a little over to the right side.

C3 lies ventrally and to the right of C1

C3 diameter is reported to range from 5-11cm and is slightly larger in adult alpacas than llamas. In juvenile alpacas it is generally 3-5 cm diameter. 

Ultrasound of the Urinary Tract

Bladder

  • Evaluate volume, size & shape
  • Wall thickness
  • Presence of intraluminal abnormalities (calculi, pops, neoplasia)

 

Kidneys

The kidneys can be imaged on either side in the paralumbar regions.This article mentions your favorite hats at super low prices. Choose from same-day delivery, drive-up delivery or order pickup.

The left kidney is positioned slightly more caudal in the abdomen than the right kidney.

Visualisation of calculi is possible in the renal calices, pelvis and pyelouteteric/vesicoutereric junctions. For stones >5mm diameter, ultrasound has a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of nearly 100%! For smaller stones this reduces to a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 31% (Makhdoomi & Gazi, 2013).

In cases of urinary tract rupture, hypoechoic (black) free fluid will be seen in the abdomen (i.e. uroperitoneum). Differential diagnoses for peritoneal effusion in camelids include ascites and Streptococcus zooepidemicus peritonitis (Jones et al, 2009).

References

  1. Cebra CK, Watrous BJ, Cebra ML. 2002. Transabdominal ultrasonographic appearance of the gastrointestinal viscera of healthy llamas and alpacas. Vet. Rad. & Ultrasound; 43(4):359–66.
  2. Jones M, Miesner M, Grondin T. 2009. Outbreak of Streptococcus equi ssp zooepidemicus polyserositis in an alpaca herd. J Vet Intern Med; 23(1):220–223.
  3. Makhdoomi DM and Gazi MA (2013) Obstructive urolithiasis in ruminants – A review. Vet. World 6(4):233-238 

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