Myelodysplasia, hypophosphataemia, vitamin D and iron deficiency in an alpaca

A pregnant 2-year-old alpaca was presented for evaluation of progressive we ight loss, decreased appetite and lethargy that developed in winter. Haemat ologic and serum biochemical analyses revealed marked anaemia, leukopenia, severe hypophosphataemia and mild hypocalcaemia. Evaluation of bone marrow core biopsies and aspirates revealed an increased proportion of immature ha ematopoietic cells, without sufficient numbers of blast cells to be termed an acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).1 The haematological and bone marrow findi ngs were suggestive of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The anaemia, leukope nia, lethargy and weight loss remained refractory to medical therapy and th e alpaca was euthanased on humane grounds.