POLYCYTHEMIA IN A LLAMA

Polycythemia can develop in many species and is characterized by high serum erythropoietin concentrations. Affected animals may remain clini cally normal unless stressed. Clinical signs, which may include tachyp nea, dyspnea, and harsh bronchovesicular sounds, can be mistaken for s igns of pneumonia. Polycythemia can result from dehydration, excessive bone marrow proliferation, hypoxia caused by pulmonary or cardiac dis ease or living at high altitudes, renal disease, or neoplasia.