Cecal impaction due to dysautonomia in a llama (Lama glama)

A llama (Lama glama) died after 1 wk of obstipation, lethargy, and rolling. Necropsy showed that the stomach and small intestine were distended with g as and fluid. The cecum was impacted with dry contents and the colon was em pty. No gross lesions were found in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract or other organs. Histologic changes consisted of chromatolysis of neurons o f autonomic ganglia, enteric plexi, and the accessory cuneate nucleus, cons istent with lesions associated with dysautonomia in other domestic animals.