LYMPHOSARCOMA IN 10 NEW-WORLD CAMELIDS

We evaluated the medical information from 10 New World Camelids with l ymphosarcoma. Additionally, tumor tissue from 5 animals was examined b y electron microscopy for evidence of retroviral particles. Lymphosarc oma was the most common neoplasm of New World Camelids in our hospital . Both Ilamas and alpacas, from 4 months to 15 years of age, were affe cted. Emaciation (7 of 8) and palpable masses (9 of 10) were the most common physical examination abnormalities, and a left-shifted leukogra m (7 of 7) and hypoalbuminemia (6 of 7) were the most characteristic c linicopathologic findings. Lymphosarcoma was diagnosed by lymph node a spirate (n = 2), biopsy (n = 2), peritoneal fluid analysis (n = 2), or necropsy (n = 4). The clinical course after recognition of the diseas e was usually short, with a median survival of 1 month (1 week to 3 mo nths). Organs with neoplastic infiltrates commonly included lymph node s (n = 8), liver (n = 8), kidneys (n = 6), and lungs (n = 5). No retro viral particles were detected ultrastructurally. (C) 1995 by the Ameri can College of Veterinary Infernal Medicine.