Congenital caudal vertebral malformations in the alpaca (Lama pacos)

• Published in: Australian veterinary journal Vol. 78; no. 6; pp. 412 - 415
• Main Authors: Vaughan, J.L, Lonsdale, R.A, Jackson, G, Ryan, D.P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-06-2000
• Subjects: Alpaca; alpacas; Animals; Breeding; Camelids, New World - abnormalities; case studies; caudal vertebra; Coccyx - abnormalities; Coccyx - diagnostic imaging; congenital abnormalities; Congenital Abnormalities - diagnostic imaging; Congenital Abnormalities - veterinary; congenital malformation; Female; hemivertebra; inheritance (genetics); Male; progeny; Radiography; tail; Tail - abnormalities; Tail - diagnostic imaging; vertebral subluxation; Victoria; Western Australia
• ISSN: 0005-0423; 1751-0813
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2000.tb11831.x

Objective To assess radiologically the caudal vertebrae of a male alpaca with an abnormal tail, and nine of his offspring.
Procedure Right lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs were taken of the caudal vertebrae.
Results The caudal vertebral abnormalities in these alpacas included vertebral subluxation, hemivertebrae, wedge hemivertebrae and block vertebrae.
Conclusion These malformations in offspring of one sire suggest a hereditary basis for congenital caudal vertebral malformations in the alpaca.