ceftiofur and Anorexia

Neonatal camelids can develop hyperglycemia, hypernatremia, and hyperosmolarity in response to a combination of stress and inadequate water intake. Clinical signs of this syndrome include a fine head tremor, ataxia, and a base-wide stance of the hind limbs, but biochemical analyses are necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Camelids appear to be susceptible to this syndrome because of a poor insulin response to hyperglycemia; hypernatremia results from free water loss associated with glucose diuresis. Water loss associated with glucose diuresis may necessitate a higher rate of fluid administration in camelids with this syndrome than is typically used for treatment of hypernatremia in calves.

Topics: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Anorexia; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Body Temperature; Camelids, New World; Cephalosporins; Clonixin; Diuresis; Female; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Hyperglycemia; Hypernatremia; Isotonic Solutions; Osmolar Concentration; Penicillin G; Ringer's Solution; Sodium; Syndrome; Tachycardia

A 3-year-old female llama that was 3 months into her first lactation and 10 weeks pregnant was evaluated for anorexia of 24 hours' duration. On physical examination, the llama was in lateral recumbency, bradycardic, tachypneic, and hyperthermic. Palpation per rectum confirmed the presence of a possible dry fecal mass in the spiral colon. A tissue biopsy specimen of the liver was obtained, and histologic examination revealed moderate diffuse lipid accumulation within the hepatocytes. Lactated Ringer's solution was administered for rehydration, and partial parenteral nutrition was then initiated. Hepatic lipidosis is a disease characterized by abnormal accumulation of lipid in the liver and is associated with high mortality in camelids. Anorexia associated with hepatic lipidosis promotes further lipid mobilization and fatty infiltration of the liver. Partial parenteral nutrition with enteral supplementation may be used to maintain adequate energy intake and minimize further lipid mobilization. The distinctive metabolism of camelids may require higher amino acid supplementation relative to nonprotein calories in parenteral solutions than those traditionally provided to other species. Treatment with insulin may be effective

Topics: Animals; Anorexia; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Blood Chemical Analysis; Camelids, New World; Cephalosporins; Clonixin; Dehydration; Fecal Impaction; Female; Insulin; Isotonic Solutions; Lipid Metabolism; Lipids; Liver Diseases; Parenteral Nutrition; Pregnancy; Ringer's Solution; Ultrasonography