Camels and Camelids

SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF OESOPHAGEAL OBSTRUCTION IN CAMELS- REPORT OF 5 CLINICAL CASES

Journal Edition: December 2011
Article DOI:
Published On: 07-09-2018 07:24

Prem Singh, R.K. Chandolia, S.M. Behl, Rishi Tayal, S.K. Chawla and N.S. Bugalia
College of Veterinary Sciences, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004, Haryana (India)

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out in 5 adult camels suffering from oesophageal obstruction. The camels were having difficulty in deglutition of feed and water for the last 10-20 days. The owners of the camels reported that 3 camels were having habit of allotrophagia, but the remaining 2 were having normal feeding habits. The owner of the 2 allotrophagic camels reported that they have seen their camels engulfing iron objects used for ploughing purposes and these camels became off-feed. In 3 camels the swelling at the base of the neck and one of these had diffused type. These camels were examined by both plain and contrast radiography and ultrasonography. The causes of oesophageal obstruction were external and internal. The internal causes were chocking due to dry roughages (2 cases) and metallic objects (2 cases). The external cause was peri - oesophageal abscess putting pressure over the oesophagus. The ultrasonography of peri-oesophageal abscess showed hyperechoic mass in the centre surrounded by anechoic image of the fluid. The abscess was drained off and managed in a routine manner. The internal causes of oesophageal obstruction were dry roughages and iron objects which were cleared by oesophagotomy. The post-operative management for oesophagotomy was followed for 2 weeks. All camels responded well after oesophagotomy.
Key words: Allotrohagia, camels, oesophageal obstruction, oesophagotomy