A case of epiploic foramen entrapment of jejunal intestinal tract in an alpaca (Vicugna pacos) cria

Signs of colic in camelids are generally vague and non-specific. Diagnostic techniques are mainly based on physical examina-tion; however, a transabdominal ultrasonography could be helpful to evidence the most common surgical lesions. An exploratory laparotomy or laparoscopy should be considered as an extension of the physical examination. In the present case report, a 6 month old, 20 Kg bodyweight Alpaca cria with colic symptoms secondary to small intestine entrapment was referred to the Teaching Veterinary Hospital of University (OVUD) at the Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Perugia-Italy, and subjected to an exploratory laparotomy. The cria was firstly treated medically for anorexia and depression; but, upon deterioration of the health status, a laparotomy was performed, leading to the definitive diagnosis of the epiploic herniation of the jejune tract. On presentation at the OVUD, the patient appeared depressed, alternatively in sternal and lateral recumbency, with body tem-perature of 38.5°C, heart rate of 52 bpm; at auscultation of the abdomen the forestomach and intestinal motility were normal. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed that small intestines were dilated, with intraluminal fluid accumulation but normal motility. Late morning of the third day, the clinical condition worsened and the patient presented sinusal tachycardia (210 bpm), tachypnea (52) and dyspnoea. The Owner gave consent to proceed with an explorative laparotomy. At surgery there was no peritoneal fluid accumulation; all tracts of the gut were normal in term of colour and volume, except for a small area of je-junum which appeared dark reddish with fibrinous spots on its surface. The jejunum was hard in consistency at digital palpa-tion and was entrapped in the epiploic foramen. Due to the necrotic lesions on the intestinal tract, the owner was informed and authorised the execution of the euthanasia. At necropsy, topography of abdominal viscera was maintained, except for a 5 cm of small intestine that were entrapped within the epiploic foramen; it appeared with multifocal, brown-reddish, necrotic and haemorrhagic lesions. Although herein the cria was positive to E. macusaniensis infection, there was any sign of diarrhoea in the previous weeks to hospitalization. In conclusion, necropsy confirmed the diagnosis of small intestine herniation into the epiploic foramen with related severe acute necro-haemorrhagic enteritis.