On 18th September 2001 I was called to examine a 5yo female Alpaca. The owner had noticed that the animal was weak, and on closer examination noted pallor of the mucous membranes. On examination she was weak though able to stand, the pulse was fast (rate not recorded) and the visible mucous membranes had no discernible colour. Blood samples were taken and submitted to the SAC in Dumfries.

Before packaging the samples some EDTA blood was used to perform a PCV which was 5%. The owner was advised that the prognosis was very guarded, and that a blood transfusion should be carried out as soon as possible. The following day 1 litre of whole blood was taken into two 500 mls collection bags containing citrate from a healthy male of about 70 kgs. This was achieved with the donor standing, restrained by the owner with a head collar. The resting heart rate of about 50 bpm did not alter perceptibly during collection. The blood was kept warm using insulating fabric and transfused to the recipient, which was by now recumbent, without delay. At the end of the procedure there was a very significant improvement in the colour of the mucous membrane.

Significant results of the biochemistry and haematology were as follows, brackets are normals as given by SAC:-

The blood film showed nucleated RBCs and hypochromasia suggestive of a regenerative anaemia.

Prior to the whole blood transfusion the owner had given 5mls iron dextran by intramuscular injection, and afterwards I administered 5cc “vitatrace” (multi-B vitamins and iron, Vetoquinol UK Ltd). On 01/08/01 the owner had given 20cc “Aquatrace”. On first examination a faeces sample was collected which had a worm egg count of approx 25 nematode epg. On the day following the transfusion the animal was stronger and wormed with (ivermectin) and given a “Cosecure” bolus containing copper, cobalt and selenium. She was also drenched daily with 100ml Collovet, a now unobtainable “tonic” made by Cvet containing copper chloride 0.012% w/v.

Her condition steadily improved after the above treatment. On 07/10/01 blood samples were taken from Amanda and 5 other Alpaca. All were tested for copper, cobalt, zinc and selenium. All results were within given reference ranges except cobalt (vit B12). Amanda and one other were normal at 1223 and 791 pmol/l (VLA reference range >400), the other 4 ranged from 137 to 214. Amanda’s blood was subjected to a profile. Globulin was slightly raised, presumably due to the immune response to foreign unmatched blood, urea had returned to normal, GGT and GLDH slightly raised (not measured before), PCV had risen to 0.13 l/l (0.25-0.46), RBC to 5.1x10/12/l (9.9-17.7). The film examination showed some hypochromic red cells, some blast cells and anisocytosis. Clearly the improved RBC parameters were more than could be expected as a direct result of the transfusion so action regeneration was proceeding.

Amanda continued to make steady improvement, her milk supply returned and she suckled her cria until weaned on 15-01-2002. Her cria was born on 18-06-2001.

Previous investigations on these premises have revealed trace element deficiencies of copper, cobalt and zinc. Anaemia in camelids associated with copper deficiency has been recorded (Veterinary Record vol 140 (1997) ,pp153-154, proceedings of the British Veterinary Camelid Society 1995), but in this case the profundity of the anaemia was extreme, though no other cause was identified. There are hearsay reports of similar problems occurring elsewhere.

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