Vol. 40, No. 1-2, 1996
An outbreak of nutritional muscular dystrophy in camels (Camelus bactrianus) in Kosice Zoo
KOVÁČ, G., MICHNA, A., BARTKO, P., REICHEL, P., MUDROŇ, P., SEIDEL, H.
The University of Veterinary Medicine
Komenskeho 73
041 81 Kosice
The Slovak Republic
Summary
A case report of myodystrophy in camels including case history, course, therapy and possible means of prevention is presented. Two 2-yr old bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) were affected during the winter months in Košice zoo. The course of the disease was less severe in the male camel than in the female one. From the view of aetiopathogenesis, nutritional deficiency and exercise were involved. Initially, myoglobinuria was observed, followed by recumbency, cold sweat, tremor of the anconeal and gluteal muscles, and an inability to stand. The following significant changes (P < 0.01) in blood serum biochemistry compared with reference values were observed in the female and male, respectively: decreased levels of vitamin E (3.22 and 1.38 µmol.l-1) and selenium (1.57 and 1.31 µmol.l-1), increased enzyme activities of AST, ALT, GGT and particularly that of CK (4.57 and 5.25 µkat.l-1) as well as increased serum lactic acid (5.51 and 6.43 mmol.l-1) and serum urea levels (9.66 and 5.83 mmol.l-1). The course of therapy followed by its effect on clinical and metabolic signs are reported.
Key words: myodystrophy; bactrian; Camelus bactrianus; selenium; vitamin E
This article is dedicated to the memory of the late Prof. P. P o p e s k o, DVM, DSc on the seventieth anniversary of his birth.
References
Folia Veterinaria / 1996