MENINGOENCEPHALITIS AND BRAIN ABSCESSATION DUE TO ESCHERICHIA-COLI INA 2-WEEK-OLD ALPACA-CRIA

An alpaca cria which received insufficient colostrum, presented with l ethargy, anorexia, no passage of faeces and neurological signs. Differ ential diagnosis included neonatal septicaemia, meningitis and gastroi ntestinal obstruction. The cria died despite treatment. Necropsy revea led brain abscesses with Escherichia coli in pure culture. The importa nce of the amount and timing of colostrum intake is discussed.