A case of epiploic foramen entrapment of jejunal intestinal tract in an alpaca (Vicugna pacos) cria

Signs of colic in camelids are generally vague and non-specific. Diagnostic techniques are mainly based on physical examina-tion; however, a transabdominal ultrasonography could be helpful to evidence the most common surgical lesions. An ex-ploratory laparotomy or laparoscopy should be considered as an extension of the physical examination.In the present case report, a 6 month old, 20 Kg bodyweight Alpaca cria with colic symptoms secondary to small intestine en-trapment was referred to the Teaching Veterinary Hospital of University (OVUD) at the Department of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Perugia - Italy, and subjected to an exploratory laparotomy. The cria was firstly treated medically for anorexia anddepression; but, upon deterioration of the health status, a laparotomy was performed, leading to the definitive diagnosis of theepiploic herniation of the jejune tract.On presentation at the OVUD, the patient appeared depressed, alternatively in sternal and lateral recumbency, with body tem-perature of 38.5°C, heart rate of 52 bpm; at auscultation of the abdomen the forestomach and intestinal motility were normal.Abdominal ultrasonography revealed that small intestines were dilated, with intraluminal fluid accumulation but normalmotility.Late morning of the third day, the clinical condition worsened and the patient presented sinusal tachycardia (210 bpm),tachypnea (52) and dyspnoea. The Owner gave consent to proceed with an explorative laparotomy. At surgery there was noperitoneal fluid accumulation; all tracts of the gut were normal in term of colour and volume, except for a small area of je-junum which appeared dark reddish with fibrinous spots on its surface. The jejunum was hard in consistency at digital palpa-tion and was entrapped in the epiploic foramen. Due to the necrotic lesions on the intestinal tract, the owner was informedand authorised the execution of the euthanasia.At necropsy, topography of abdominal viscera was maintained, except for a 5 cm of small intestine that were entrapped withinthe epiploic foramen; it appeared with multifocal, brown-reddish, necrotic and haemorrhagic lesions.Although herein the cria was positive to E. macusaniensisinfection, there was any sign of diarrhoea in the previous weeks tohospitalization.In conclusion, necropsy confirmed the diagnosis of small intestine herniation into the epiploic foramen with related severeacute necro-haemorrhagic enteritis.