Abstract
The purpose of this study was to characterise the ultrasonographic findings in camels (Camelus dromedarius) with trypanosomiasis. Forty-two camels with chronic weight loss, subcutaneous oedema and ascites were examined. The passive haemagglutination test showed that 38 (90%) were positive for Trypanosoma evansi. Ultrasonographic examination was carried out twice, before and three weeks after treatment. On admission, ultrasonographic findings included presence of abdominal fluids within the abdominal cavity where livers and intestines were imaged floating in a hypoechoic fluid. Transrectal examination showed excessive amounts of hypoechoic fluid where urinary bladder and other pelvic organs were floating in a hypoechoic fluid. The caudal vena cava did not appear triangular but oval to round in shape. The hepatic and portal veins appeared distended and bile duct calcification and hepatic abscessation was detected. Ultrasonographic examination of the thorax revealed hydrothorax and hydropericardium. Except 2 cases of bile duct calcification and 1 of hepatic abscessation, no detectable gross sonographic lesions were detected while imaging the hepatic and renal parenchyma and the heart and its valves and major blood vessels. Three weeks after treatment, no fluids were imaged in the peritoneum, the pericardium and pleura and the caudal vena cava, hepatic and portal veins appeared normal. Twenty-three camels (66%) were fully recovered, however, the condition of 12 (34%) deteriorated and therefore necropsied and thoroughly examined. In camels with trypanosomiasis, ultrasonographic findings support the clinical and laboratory data, effective in excluding other causes of abdominal distension and can be used to assess the progress in treated animals.