Todayโs path rounds are on ๐๐ก๐จ๐๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
๐๐ก๐จ๐๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ is failure to form communication between the nasal cavity and the ๐ง๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ฉ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ฒ๐ง๐ฑ (large open area right before the trachea) during development. This blockage can be a single membrane, or even a bone, and may be found in both nasal passages or just one.
๐๐ก๐จ ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
This disease is primarily seen in alpacas and llamas, although it has been described in other species as well. It is typically diagnosed in ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ (baby alpacas or llamas) shortly after birth.
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
This condition is thought to be genetic, and a few possible genes have been identified. However, the exact genetic development of the condition hasnโt been determined yet!
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ?
As you can imagine, having a blocked nasal passage is no fun for these little guys. They often have difficulty breathing, cannot exercise or run around, and often breathe through their mouths. They are very susceptible to ๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ฉ๐ง๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ข๐, with milk entering the lungs, because they are trying to mouth-breathe while drinking. Unfortunately, this condition has an extremely poor prognosis, and most affected crias will die from it.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ฌ๐๐?
Typically affected crias will be open mouth breathing, and clearly distressed. Their nostrils may be flared as they desperately try to acquire oxygen. To confirm a diagnosis, the producer can hold a mirror can be held up to each nostril to look for whether or not the mirror fogs up, indicating that the animal can breathe through that nostril.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐?
Previously there have been attempts to correct the blocked nasal passage surgically, however these attempts have not been very successful. Currently the recommendation for affected crias is humane euthanasia.
๐๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ
1) A cria with flared nostrils and an open mouth due to choanal atresia.
2-4) Examples of choanal atresia on cross-section of the skull.
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ
Maxie, G. Jubb, Kennedy and Palmerโs Pathology of Domestic Animals, Volume 2. Sixth Edition.
Johnson, L.W. Diseases of Llamas and Alpacas. Merck Veterinary Manual 2014.
Photos 1-4 courtesy of Noahโs Arkive.
